Medial Epicanthoplasty Using Direct Excision and Redraping Technique

ABSTRACT

Recently, new epicanthoplasty methods with reduced scarring have been developed, such as skin redraping method, periciliary epicanthoplasty, etc. Although these methods increase the length of horizontal palpebral fissure, the remnant skin and orbicularis oculi muscle portion that covers one third of medial canthus reduce satisfaction of aesthetic outcome. In order to overcome this limitation, the authors performed redraping after direct excision of medial orbicularis oculi muscle and excess skin to correct epicanthal fold. From April of 2006 to March of 2009, the authors performed medial epicanthoplasty using direct excision and redraping method to correct epicanthal folds in the eyelids of 72 Asian patients. The epicanthoplasty was performed combining with incisional or non-incisional double eyelid operation, ptosis correction, augmentation rhinoplasty and lateral canthal lengthening. Mean follow up was 11 months(6 months to 2 years). Most of the patients were satisfied with the results. Our technique has delivered esthetically superior results with minimal postoperative scar and no major complication. The advantages of our direct excision and redraping technique are as follows 1) simple in design, 2) versatile in its application, 3) double fold looks clear especially in the medial 1/3 by eliminating the redundant skin and orbicularis muscle.