Subperiosteal Midface Lift with or without a Hard Palate Mucosal Graft for Correction of Lower Eyelid Retraction

Abstract

To compare functional and surgical outcomes of a subperiosteal midface lift with and without the placement of a hard palate mucosal graft (HPMG) in patients with lower eyelid retraction. Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. Thirty-four patients with lower eyelid retractions who underwent surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in a 5-year period. Medical record review of all patients who underwent surgery for lower eyelid retraction by a subperiosteal midface lift with or without an HPMG. Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were taken in all patients. Change in margin reflex distance 2 (MRD2), measured from the pupillary margin to the upper margin of the lower eyelid; patient discomfort; and surgical complications. Thirty-four patients (20 female; mean age, 64 years) participated in the study; 11 underwent bilateral surgery, with overall 43 surgeries performed. Eighteen patients (42%) had lower eyelid retraction secondary to previous transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Postoperatively, patients attained a better lower eyelid position, with improvement of lower eyelid height of 1.4 mm (P<0.001, 1-sample t test). Patients operated using an HPMG (12 surgeries) achieved a greater reduction in MRD2 postoperatively as compared with patients operated by subperiosteal midface lift alone (31 surgeries; 2.2 mm vs. 1.1 mm, respectively; P = 0.02, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney). One patient needed reoperation secondary to symptomatic lower eyelid retraction postoperatively. The subperiosteal midface lift is effective in correction of lower eyelid retraction of various causes. The use of an HPMG spacer may enhance surgical outcomes and results in a better lower eyelid position.