A New Crease Fixation Technique for Double Eyelidplasty Using Mini-Flaps Derived from Pretarsal Levator Tissues

Abstract

Most double eyelid operations focus on using a levator insertion into the upper eyelid skin that induces adhesion. Although incision method provides a significant supratarsal fold, it has the disadvantage of causing a visible depression or scarring when eyes are closed in downward gaze. The authors elevated multiple comblike mini-flaps from upper eyelid pretarsal levator tissues under loupe magnification. Flap bases were anchored on the tarsus using 7-0 nylon sutures, and distal flap portions were pulled out to the skin through a separate incision line and then interposed between edges of orbicularis muscle using absorbable microsutures to achieve a complete myocutaneous layer-by-layer repair. Five hundred twenty-two double eyelidplasties were performed by the senior surgeon (Y.C.) using the described miniflap method. Patients were followed for 6 to 38 months (mean, 26 months). Seven palpebral fold failures were encountered, especially on the medial side, and 12 cases of fold asymmetry occurred because of inappropriate anchoring of miniflaps; all 12 were revised secondarily. No granuloma formation or scar hypertrophy occurred on upper lids. Although mild erythematous skin changes inevitably occurred during the early postoperative period, patients were satisfied with the palpebral folds, which showed no scars during downward gaze at 2 years postoperatively. The authors introduce a modified double eyelidplasty involving the interposition of multiple comblike mini-flaps derived from the pretarsal levator tissue of the upper eyelid. The procedure not only allows clean repair of the upper eyelid without disrupting tissue layer continuity but also enables double eyelidplasty with minimal scar formation.