The Effectiveness of Saireito, a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine, in Reducing Postoperative Edema after Acquired Ptosis Surgery: A Prospective Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Persistent edema is a common complication after the surgical treatment of blepharoptosis; however, no objective methods have been established for evaluating or treating this condition. We focused on the Japanese herbal medicine, Saireito, and evaluated its efficacy in reducing postoperative edema. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized, and controlled study. We evaluated the incidence of postoperative edema in a Control group using a subjective patient-assessed visual analog scales (VASs) to assess swelling, pain, itching, and local warmth and an objective surgeon-assessed VAS to evaluate swelling. Swelling was also assessed by an objective computer-based analysis of digital images. These methods were used to evaluate the effects of Saireito (8.1 g/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients and 80 eyelids were enrolled. Twenty-nine patients and 48 eyelids were assigned to the Control group, and 20 patients and 32 eyelids were assigned to the Saireito group. Our analysis of the Control group indicated that postoperative edema persisted for up to 8 weeks. On the other hand, the postoperative edema in the Saireito group was mostly eliminated at 8 weeks. The computer-based analysis of digital images showed that the edema tended to be reduced in the Saireito group compared with the Control group. CONCLUSION: Saireito might be effective for reducing postoperative edema after blepharoptosis surgery and almost completely eliminated it at 8 weeks after surgery. This study was a preliminary and nonrandomized study; therefore, the randomized and placebo-controlled study will be needed in the next step.