The Change of Eyebrow Height According to Frontalis Muscle Function after Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in eyebrow position and three parts of brow according to frontalis muscle (FM) function after upper lid blepharoplasty. @*Methods@#We subdivided 45 patients who had undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty into three groups according to FM function Group 1 (Poor, <4 mm), Group 2 (Good, ≥4 mm and <8 mm), and Group 3 (Excellent, ≥8 mm). Photographs of patients were taken before and three months after surgery. We analyzed brow descent and brow-to-pupil (BPD), brow-to-medial canthus distance (BMCD), brow-to-lateral canthus distance (BLCD) of each group. @*Results@#Mean FM function was measured as follows Group 1 (2.11 ± 0.94 mm), Group 2 (6.2 ± 1.24 mm), Group 3 (10.25 ± 1.25 mm). There was no significant difference in the degree of eyebrow height change between Group 2 and 3, but Group 1 showed significant eyebrow height descent compared Group 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). In all three groups, the lateral brow position was significantly lowered compared to middle or medial brow position after blepharoplasty (p < 0.04). After blepharoplasty, 3 eyebrow ptosis occurred in Group 1, not in Group 2 and 3. @*Conclusions@#Patients with poor FM function less than 4 mm (Group 1) and BLCD of all group showed significant eyebrow descent after blepharoplasty. Since the weaker FM function and FM connection with eyebrow, the more lowered eyebrow after blepharoplasty, the evaluation of FM function may help predict the lowering of eyebrow height after blepharoplasty and decide whether to perform brow lift at the same time.