• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2011

Purpose: Retro-orbicularis oculi fat (ROOF) and preseptal fat pad (PSF) are deep fat structures of frontal and supraorbital area, that encounter galeal fat pad (GFP). If galeal wall is weakened by aging process, GFP loses its anchoring structure, moved downward pushing ROOF and PSF. This especially occur in lateral brow area. As a result of drooping, eyebrow affects the eyelid covering PSF as a sac descended to a lateral hooding and ptotic eyelid simultaneously. Consequently, in the case of lateral hooding and brow ptosis, besides the skin, deep fat structures (ROOF and PSF) should be corrected as well. Methods: ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in subbrow resection were performed. 21 cases of patients from April, 2007 to January, 2008. Before surgery, all patients were examined carefully to evaluate the degrees of dermatochalasia, drooping of the eyebrow, marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), eyelid crease height. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia, then excised the drooped eyelid skin by lateral subbrow resection, removed proper amount of ROOF, repositioned ROOF-PSF at the supraorbital rim, and fix it on periosteum. During follow up periods, the patients were surveyed of the satisfaction of surgery, and postoperative MRD1 was evaluated. Results: One patient had a hematoma on left eyebrow, and another one patient had a numbness on left forehead for two months. Except for these two patients, all patients had good results without any significant complications. The mean follow up period was about 5 months, and the position of lateral eyebrow maintained above the supraorbital rim in all cases. Postoperatively, MRD1 increased by 0.8 mm in 5-months mean follow up period. Conclusion: In patient with lateral brow ptosis and lateral hooding, the ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in sub-brow resection could be a good operative option.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.486-491
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• 2013

In performing upper blepharoplasty in the elderly, looking younger and keeping the eyelids harmonious with the rest of the face have to be achieved at the same time. The most important goal in upper blepharoplasty for aging is correcting the drooping upper eyelid skin, and in this process, the surgeon may or may not create a double eyelid fold. The pros and cons have to be fully discussed with the patient, but the author personally prefers creating a double fold unless the patient refuses, because it is efficient in correcting and preventing further drooping of the skin. In most patients, the brow is elevated to compensate for the drooping eyelid, and when the drooping is corrected, brow ptosis may ensue. The surgeon has to prepare for these consequences before performing the procedure, and estimate the exact amount of skin to be excised. In the elderly, the skin and the orbicularis oculi muscle is thin, with a decreased amount of subcutaneous fat and retro-orbicularis oculi fat, and in most cases, excision of the skin alone is enough to correct the deformity. Removing large portions of soft tissue may also prolong the recovery period. Unlike younger patients, the lower skin flap should not be stretched too much in the elderly, as it may create an aggressive looking appearance. A few wrinkles in the lower flap should remain untouched to create a natural look. In this article, the author's own methods of performing an aging blepharoplasty are described specifically, with a step-by-step guide and surgical tips.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.649-653
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• 2009

Purpose: Double - eyelid operation is one of the most common cosmetic operations among Korean patients. In such operations, however, the complexity of and individual differences in the patients' anatomical structures may cause various complications, such as asymmetry, retraction of the eyelid, and the occurrence of a high fold. A high fold occurs frequently, and its correction is not very simple. Many methods have been developed to correct it, and among these, the operation involving the excision of the skin between the previous double - eyelid line and the new double - eyelid line is usually selected by plastic surgeons. In many cases, however, patients have insufficient eyelid skins for this operation. In this study, the authors introduce an operation procedure for high - fold correction that does not involve skin excision Methods: From June 2005 to June 2009, 246 cases were treated with this procedure. After the incision of the new double - eyelid line, dissection was done between the previous scar tissue and the levator aponeurosis. Then the orbital septum, orbital fat or the retro - orbicularis oculi fat was slid down and sutured with a tarsal plate. Such sutures were repeated at four to five points, including the lateral and medial limbus, to prevent the reattachment of the previous scar and to create a new double - eyelid line at the end of the orbital septum. Results: Most of the high - fold patients were satisfied with the procedure described above. Their previous scar was hidden under the new double - eyelid line after the operation. In the six cases, the scar was visible in the patients who had a very high and deep inner line. As such, scar revision was undertaken three months after the operation. It is known that scar revision is also required after an operation involving skin excision in the case of a very high inner - eyelid line. Conclusion: This method is an appropriative procedure for high - fold correction for patients who have insufficient upper - eyelid skin.