Measurement of change in lower eyelid position in patients undergoing transcutaneous skin-muscle flap lower eyelid blepharoplasty

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a commonly performed procedure with a postoperative risk of eyelid malposition. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the change in lower eyelid position after transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective medical record review describes patients who underwent transcutaneous blepharoplasty at a private facial plastic surgery practice. Patients with less than 3 months of follow-up, a history of periocular trauma, and concurrent midface lift were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral skin-muscle flap lower eyelid blepharoplasties with possible tarsorrhaphy, canthopexy, or canthoplasty as indicated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Lower eyelid position determined by measurement of preoperative and postoperative pupil to eyelid and lateral limbus to eyelid distances. RESULTS: Data from 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 56.7 years; 92 female [92.0%]) undergoing bilateral skin-muscle flap lower eyelid blepharoplasty were analyzed. The mean increase in distance was 0.33 mm (95% CI, 0.24-0.42 mm) from the pupil to the lower eyelid margin and 0.32 mm (95% CI, 0.23-0.41 mm) from the lateral limbus to the lower eyelid margin at final follow-up. For both measurements, patients undergoing concurrent canthopexy had a significantly greater change in eyelid position (P < .001). Men had a greater change in the distance of pupil to lower eyelid compared with women (0.76 mm; 95% CI, 0.44-1.08 mm, vs 0.30 mm; 95% CI, 0.20-0.39 mm, respectively; P = .008) at final follow-up. Two patients required revision procedures secondary to eyelid malposition, and 25 patients had new onset of dry eye symptoms. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Transcutaneous skin-muscle lower eyelid blepharoplasty with selective performance of canthoplasty or canthopexy causes a small, predictable eyelid position change in this population with a low rate of revision procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.