Clinical effects of small-incision orbicularis-levator fixation technique for monocular double-eyelid blepharoplasty

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of small-incision orbicularis-levator fixation technique for monocular double-eyelid blepharoplasty. Methods Data were collected in 56 patients (5 males and 51 females) with monocular double eyelid from January 2013 to January 2014. All patients underwent small-incision orbicularis-levator fixation blepharoplasty. To ensure the symmetry between the two eyelids, extensive study and design might be done before the surgery, including the positon of incisions, the amount of tissue removed, the tightness of sutures fixation during surgery, and so on. Results All patients were successfully operated and were performed postoperative follow-up for 19.3±3.4 months. MRI was taken on their upper eyelids preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Before the surgery, the MRI orbicularis oculi muscle thickness were 4.08±0.74 U in the left side and 4.81±1.05 U in the right (t=2.66, P<0.05); the areas of orbit fat were 84.26±9.75 U2 in the left and 93.85±12.15 U2 in the right (t=3.21, P<0.05). As for 6 months postoperatively, the MRI orbicularis oculi muscle thickness were 4.07±0.69 U in the left side and 4.37±0.99 U in the right (t=1.46, P=0.15); the areas of orbit fat were 82.88±8.81 U2 in the left and 85.30±11.94 U2 in the right (t=1.21, P=0.23). Fifty-four patients were satisfied with surgery, the eyelid's crease turned narrow in 1 case and disappeared in 1 case. Those 2 cases were adjusted by secondary surgery using the same method. Conclusions Small-incision orbicularis-levator fixation blepharoplasty has a high success rate, with acceptable bilateral symmetry and slight scar. Key words: Monocular double-eyelid; Blepharoplasty; Small-incision; Orbicularis oculi muscle