Transconjunctival Müller's muscle Tucking Method for Non-incisional Correction of Mild Ptosis: The Effectiveness and Maintenance

Release of fibrous web bands between the preaponeurotic fat pad and Levator aponeurosis in subclinical blepharoptosis correction during double-eyelid blepharoplasty

BACKGROUND

Double-eyelid blepharoplasty is a popular cosmetic procedure in Asia; however, there are some drawbacks to this procedure for mild blepharoptosis. Enhancing movement of the levator aponeurosis can correct blepharoptosis through the release of fibrous web bands present between the preaponeurotic fat pad and levator aponeurosis.

AIM

To improve our understanding of the anatomical link between the levator aponeurosis and orbital septum fat and to introduce that the release of the link can provide favorable results in double-eyelid blepharoplasty.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We included patients with latent ptosis or subclinical blepharoptosis who underwent double-eyelid blepharoplasty with the release of fibrous web bands between June 2021 and March 2023. Mild ptosis was corrected following complete release of the fibrous bands beneath the preaponeurotic fat pad. Patients were followed up for 4-12 months postoperatively, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Patient demographic variables and photographs were collected pre- and postoperatively. Patients, surgeons, and laypersons were asked to evaluate the outcomes postoperatively. The Friedman's nonparametric (for repeated measures) two-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Outcomes were assessed in 45 individuals with an average monitoring period of 6.9 months. There were no cases of incomplete eyelid closure or upper eyelid ectropion. Over 50% of the surgical outcomes were deemed "satisfactory" by each of the three groups in relation to the widening of the eyelid fissure. Most of the examined patients demonstrated favorable long-term results.

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrous web bands are implicated in subclinical or mild blepharoptosis. The release of fibrous web bands between the preaponeurotic fat pad and levator aponeurosis can provide favorable results in double-eyelid blepharoplasty.

Transconjunctival Levator Aponeurosis-Müller Muscle Complex Plication to Correct the Acquired Ptosis Following Double-Eyelid Surgery

One of the most common adverse outcomes of an upper blepharoplasty involving double-eyelid surgery is asymmetric upper eyelids due to unbalanced supratarsal folds or a difference in the palpebral fissure height. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication for correcting acquired ptosis following double-eyelid surgery. This retrospective study evaluated 18 patients who underwent transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication between June 2016 and June 2019 to correct acquired ptosis. On the basis of the main area of eyelid drooping, ptosis was categorized as central (mid-pupillary), medial (medial limbus), or lateral (lateral limbus). Preoperative and postoperative palpebral fissure heights were measured and compared. Three months postsurgery, the mean difference in palpebral fissure height between bilateral eyes decreased from 0.96 to 0.04 mm in the medial ( P <0.001), from 0.93 to 0.00 mm in central ( P =0.003), and from 1.30 to -0.03 mm in lateral ptosis ( P =0.079). In 13 patients who underwent unilateral correction, the amount of plication was significantly associated with increased palpebral fissure height at the medial limbus ( P =0.043) and mid-pupillary line ( P =0.035). All patients reported a significant improvement in satisfaction. Five patients experienced acute postoperative complications, including chemosis, conjunctival injection, and foreign body sensation, all of which were resolved after a month of observation. No asymmetries or recurrences were observed. Transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective technique for correcting acquired ptosis following upper eyelid surgery.

Supraciliary Incision as a Modified Approach for Asian Blepharoptosis Patients

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis may result in an unattractive appearance and vision problems. According to the severity of ptosis, patients may undergo correction surgery using upper eyelid retractors. The conventional incision for surgical procedures was the double-eyelid incision, potentially resulting in an obvious and unnatural scar or long-lasting edema and prolonged recovery time.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to introduce a supraciliary incision as an alternative to the double-eyelid incision for blepharoptosis correction that creates a scarless, natural appearance with a quick recovery time.

METHODS

From June 2019 to June 2021, 32 patients (36 eyelids) underwent blepharoptosis correction through a supraciliary incision. MRD1, the height of the eyelid fissure, and the patient's satisfaction with the shape and scar as well as postoperative complications (eyelid insufficiency, conjunctival prolapse, inadequate correction of ptosis, and excessive correction of ptosis).

RESULTS

All 32 patients (36 eyelids) were followed up for 6 to 18 months, with an average follow-up of 11.6 months. The postoperative satisfaction rate was 96.43%. There was no overcorrection, but one patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) was under correction that required secondary correction. One patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) experienced conjunctival prolapse. Sixteen patients showed lagophthalmos early after surgery, in which one patient experienced early-stage keratitis and completely recovered within two months.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoptosis correction via supraciliary incision allows for broader indications and fewer surgical scars without disrupting eyelid integrity, resulting in quick recovery after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Reducing the Volume of Upper Eyelids in East Asians Increases Vertical Palpebral Height

BACKGROUND

Correcting puffy eyelids is important for improving the first impression. The puffiness is most predictable corrected by tissue resection and fat excision. Fold asymmetry, overcorrection, and recurrence can sometimes occur after levator aponeurosis manipulation. The objective of this study was to introduce a method of volume-controlled blepharoptosis correction (VC) without levator manipulation.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who had undergone upper blepharoplasty between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Questionnaires, digital photographs, and charts were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications. The degree of levator function was graded as poor, fair, good, or very good. Levator function must be above good (>8 mm) to employ the VC method. Poor and fair grades of levator function were excluded because they require levator aponeurosis manipulation. The margin to reflex distance (MRD) 1 was assessed preoperatively, 2 weeks postoperatively, and at follow-up visits.

RESULTS

Postoperative satisfaction was 4.3 ± 0.8 with no postoperative discomfort (0%), and the duration of swelling was 10.1 ± 2.0 days. Regarding other complications, no fold asymmetry (0%) was observed, although hematoma formation was observed in 1 (2.9%) patient in the VC group. Significant differences were observed in the changes in palpebral fissure height over time (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

VC can effectively correct puffy eyelids and create natural-looking, beautiful, and thin eyelids. Thus, VC is associated with higher patient satisfaction and surgical longevity without serious complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Modified Simultaneous Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty and Ptosis Correction With a Single-Knot, Continuous, Nonincisional Technique

BACKGROUND

"Double eyelid" blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic operations among Asian populations. Some patients might present with concomitant mild to moderate blepharoptosis, even though they choose initially to undergo blepharoplasty for cosmetic reasons.

OBJECTIVE

Using nonincisional double eyelid surgery without ptosis correction tends to produce unsatisfactory results. We introduce our modified suture method for the simultaneous correction of blepharoptosis during double eyelid blepharoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective review on 13 patients who underwent simultaneous nonincisional ptosis correction and double eyelid surgery, using a single-knot continuous technique, from January 2017 to December 2019. A superior tarsal (Müller's) muscle tagging suture was utilized to achieve an accurate tucking during surgery and create a double upper lid fold simultaneously.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 31.8 years (range=23-54), and 9 patients (69%) were female. The mean marginal reflex distance 1 increased from 2.46±0.36 mm preoperatively to 4.07±0.61 mm postoperatively with a statistically significant difference. Most patients showed favorable results with an average of 10.8 months of follow-up and minimal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This simultaneous double eyelid blepharoplasty technique using a single-knot, continuous, nonincisional technique is relatively easy and effective, with minimal downtime and few postoperative complications, and avoids scarring for patients with mild to moderate blepharoptosis.

Efficacy of modified levator muscle resection using Putterman ptosis clamp versus levator muscle resection for aponeurotic ptosis: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

In recent years, a modified levator muscle resection using Putterman ptosis clamp was developed. We used a retrospective case-control study to compare the effects of the modified and traditional levator muscle resection methods.

METHODS

Patients with moderate-to-severe ptosis who underwent the traditional or modified method for levator muscle resection were divided into two groups: Group I received the traditional method in 2013 and Group II received the modified method using Putterman clamp in 2015. During each postoperative visit, in addition to imaging, changes in the margin reflex distance 1 (MRD 1), and adverse events were recorded. Surgical time and final result in the last follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS

Group I had 35 patients (54 eyes) and Group II had 33 patients (59 eyes). After the surgery, the MRD 1 in both groups was significantly improved at 1 week and at the final visit compared to baseline. Significant differences were observed in MRD 1 change at 1-week post-operation and the change at the final visit and the surgical time between Groups I and II (P < 0.05). Group II had a shorter surgical time than Group I. Compared with Group I (20.37%), the revision rate was lower in Group II (10.16%).

CONCLUSIONS

The modified levator muscle resection using Putterman ptosis clamp and traditional levator muscle resection can both improve ptosis. Comparison results showed that using Putterman ptosis clamp assisted in levator muscle surgery had shorter operation time, faster postoperative recovery, and lower revision rate than the traditional method.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Outcomes of conjunctival-Müller's muscle resection surgery with and without epinephrine in local anesthetic

Purpose: To determine the effect of epinephrine as an anesthetic adjunct on outcomes of conjunctival-Müller's muscle resection (CMMR) ptosis surgery.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients having undergone CMMR with plain local anesthetic (LA) and local anesthetic combined with epinephrine (LA+Epi). Two measures of success were investigated: margin to reflex distance 1 (MRD1) success and overall success. MRD1 success was defined as a postoperative MRD1 between 2-4 mm. Overall success was defined as all of i) MRD1 success, ii) a ≤ 1 mm difference between the eyelid height following the preoperative phenylephrine test and post-operative MRD1 (PE-MRD1 Δ), and iii) symmetrical postoperative contour between both upper eyelids. Study inclusion criteria included blepharoptosis from levator aponeurotic dehiscence and satisfactory response to the phenylephrine test. Exclusion criteria included congenital ptosis, ptosis secondary to another cause, previous ipsilateral eyelid surgery, or a medical condition that may have impacted surgery.Results: There were 26 eyelids in the LA+Epi group, and 19 eyelids in the LA group. There was no difference in the two groups in age (P =0.28), pre-operative MRD1 (P =0.37), levator function (P =0.27), intraoperative tissue resection amount (P =0.27), number of weeks postoperatively at final MRD1 measurement (P =0.99), and PE-MRD1 Δ (P =0.08). All patients achieved a symmetrical post-operative eyelid contour. The LA+Epi group had a higher attainment of MRD1 success (P =0.04) and overall success (P =0.045).Conclusions: Epinephrine as an anesthetic adjunct improves CMMR outcome. This suggests its use can be considered the standard of care.