Transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with micro-autologous fat transplantation harvested from orbital fat pads for lower eyelid aging treatment

Abstract

The aging process of lower eyelids results in lower eyelid wrinkles, tear troughs, and eye bags. Many therapies have been described for treatment of lower eyelid aging, and transcutaneous blepharoplasty is often used for treating cases with eyebags and dermatochalasis. However, it may cause depression near the medial orbit resulting in a hollowed look. In the present study, we developed an innovative method transferring the herniated fatty tissue to volume loss area during the surgical procedure of transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty by means of micro-autologous fat transplantation harvested from resected orbital fat pads. Besides, we also analyze it efficacy and safety compared with traditional methods of transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. We reviewed the records of the patients who underwent transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with and without micro-autologous fat transplantation, for lower eyelid aging improvement. We used global aesthetic improvement scale, Hirmand's classification system, and Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale to evaluate the cosmetic outcome at 1week, 1month, and 3months after operation by two independent investigators. We found patients received transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with autologous fat graft had significantly higher global aesthetic improvement scale and Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale improvement than those underwent transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty only in each evaluation timepoints. There was no significant difference of adverse effects between both surgical methods. The present study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the lower eyelid blepharoplasty with micro-autologous fat transplantation harvesting from resected orbital fat pads.