Medial epicanthoplasty using skin redraping and orbicularis oculi muscle disconnection

Abstract

Objective To explore a new simple epicanthoplasty method fit for various types of epicanthus with inconspicuous scar after operation.Methods As the latest studies showed that the anatomical structure of epicanthus is mainly due to the eyelid orbicularis muscle's dislocation at the starting point of the medial canthal tendon,which affects the skin appearance,rather than the traditional view that was merely the excess skin,we released the adhesions between the skin and the inner canthus orbicularis muscle,and corrected the dislocation of orbicularis muscle that was key to the operation,incised along with the line A′→B→A″→ C in the field of interior canthus,separated the subcutaneous fascia tissue,relaxed the subcutaneous fibrous cord,disconnect the orbicularis muscle's attachment point in the inner canthal fold,and then sutured and folded the inner canthal ligament.After sewing up point A′ and point A″,the released skin retracted naturally and formed a new inner canthal contour.Results From June 2008 to June 2009,57 cases of epicanthus patients accepted this surgery.After operation,the appearance of canthus was nice.Eye fissure got widen,and the scar was not obvious.Also there was a high satisfactory rate.Conclusions This method has a broad range of applications.It is suitable for various types of epicanthus correction. Key words: Epicanthus; Skin flap; Orbicularis oculi muscle; Cosmetic surgery