Small-incision orbicularis–levator fixation technique: A modified double-eyelid blepharoplasty for treating trichiasis in young Asian patients

Abstract

Upper-eyelid trichiasis often occurs with a single puffy eyelid or shallow eyelid crease in young Asian patients. This study presents a novel modified trichiasis correction method to simultaneously treat trichiasis and create a natural eyelid crease. It combines the modified small-incision debulking procedure and the orbicularis-levator fixation technique. The eyelash lift angle (LA), body curl angle (BCA) and end curl angle (ECA) were quantitatively analysed. A total of 90 patients (152 trichiasis eyelids) were followed up for approximately 22 months. The LA changed from 24.32°±9.21°-54.12°±10.32° in the nasal section of the eyelid (section 1), from 21.03°±11.34°-52.03°±10.56° in the middle section of the eyelid (section 2) and from 23.31°±8.12°-63.15°±8.43° in the temporal section of the eyelid (section 3). All patients were satisfied with the eyelid-fold appearance. In conclusion, for young Asian patients with upper-eyelid trichiasis, the small-incision orbicularis-levator fixation technique is able to acquire a stable up-curved position of the eyelashes and satisfactory aesthetic results.