Epicanthoplasty Using Y-V Advancement Flap Method

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The epicanthal fold is a unique finding in the medial canthal area of many Asians. Various methods have been developed to eliminate this fold. However, excessive and prominent scarring in the medial canthal and nasal area and recurrence restricted application of epicanthoplasty. The authors performed a epicanthoplasty using Y-V advancement flap method in order to obliterate the epicanthal fold without making incisions in the nasal area and as a result, to avoid postoperative scarring. METHODS: Sixty one patients underwent epicanthal fold correction using Y-V advancement flap method from July 1999 to February 2005. There were 4 males and 57 females with ages ranging from 9 to 60 years. The epicanthoplasty was performed combined with double eyelid operation, ptosis correction, augmentation rhinoplasty, nasal alar reduction, and nasal tip-plasty. RESULTS: There were few complications in our studies, and most of the patients were satisfied with the results. CONCLUSION: Remarkable advantages of our Y-V advancement flap epicanthoplasty are as follows 1) minimal postoperative scarring in the medial canthal area, 2) application of modified double eyelid operation, 3) wider opening of the medial palpebral fissure, 4) the correction of entropion or epiblepharon, 5) no recurrence.