Asian blepharoplasty: an 18-year experience in 6215 patients.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the suprapalpebral fold (SPF) to create a double eyelid is a popular procedure in many East Asian countries. However, the traditional long-incision, double-eyelid blepharoplasty procedure can result in eyelid swelling that lasts for months, resulting in the temporary appearance of an excessively high SPF.

OBJECTIVE: The author describes 18 years of experience using a short-incision technique for Asian blepharoplasty in 6215 patients.

METHODS: A short incision to minimize eyelid trauma and surgical scarring was made on only the middle one-third of the upper eyelid. The dissection was extended far enough superiorly, medially, and laterally above the levator aponeurosis to obtain maximum upward movement of the globe. Three anchoring sutures were placed for the creation of the permanent SPF, with inverted stitches between either the levator aponeurosis or the lower border of the stripped orbital septum, to either the dermis or the dermomuscular junction of the lower margin of the incised skin. Intraoperative adjustment of the curvature and the lateral flare of the SPF was accomplished by changing or releasing the point of the anchoring suture in four different ways: to either the upper or lower dermal or dermomuscular junction of either the lower or upper margin of the incised wound or, on rare occasions, by a small elliptical excision of the upper skin flap. In 70% of patients, changing the medial anchoring suture to the proper position resulted in the creation of suprapalpebral outside fold, without any need to perform epicanthoplasty.

RESULTS: The average operative time was 33 minutes. Most patients did not need to refrain from attending work or school. The postoperative complication rate was 3.8%. The most common temporary unfavorable results were minimal swelling, bruising, and eversion of the eyelid margin. Minor complications included asymmetrical fold, fading of the fold, depressed scar, and drooping of lateral eyelid skin. All of the minor complications were treated successfully. There were no severe complications.

CONCLUSIONS: The short central incision is a semi-open blepharoplasty technique for creating the double eyelid that is suitable for all patients without loose upper eyelid skin.