Recurrence of Lower Eyelid Fat Pads (Herniated Fat) after Blepharoplasty: An Analysis of Different Operative Techniques

Abstract

Background: Aging changes to the lower eyelids and midface include all but not only these changes: pseudoherniated orbital fat, tear trough deformity, lid laxity, and dermatochalasis. Surgical repair often aims at treating redundant skin or orbital fat malposition with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty. In manipulating the inferior orbital fat pads, a surgeon has many options including excision, repositioning, or augmentation with synthetic dermal filler, autologous fat grafts, or acellular dermal allografts [1]. The aim of this study is to find the best approach in preventing fat herniation reccurnce in lower lid blepharoplasty. Methods: The patients in study were classified into three groups depending on the used surgical technique, to test the most effective technique associated with minimal rate of lower fat pad recurrence after surgery. Two of these techniques include a muscular flap suspension from the orbicularis oculae muscle. Results: The two surgical techniques that include orbicularis oculi muscle suspension are associated with no recurrence of lower herniated fat pads after blepharoplasty. Conclusions: The suspension of orbicularis oculi muscle has an important role in enhancing the lower orbital septum and prevents the recurrence of the lower herniated fat pads.