Upper eyelid blepharoplasty. A technical comparative analysis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of subcuticular closure with a 5-0 polypropylene suture (Prolene) with those of closure with a running 6-0 fast-absorbing catgut approximation in upper eyelid blepharoplasty. A prospective, double-blind study was designed to compare the results of these closures in patients who presented to the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland (Ohio). Thirty consecutive patients voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, and all of them had both types of closure performed on their upper eyelids. Twenty of the 30 patients who were originally enrolled in the study complied with our follow-up recommendations, completed the study, and were the basis for this report. At the time of the procedure, a random selection of closure type was made and a variety of outcome measures were recorded, including operative time, minor complications, senior author and patient aesthetic preferences, and postoperative discomfort levels. Based on the aesthetic preferences, we are of the opinion that a running 6-0 fast-absorbing catgut suture may offer some surgeons slightly better results than a subcuticular permanent suture for closure of the upper eyelid blepharoplasty incision. Comparable morbidity was seen with both techniques. No significant differences in postoperative discomfort levels were identified.