Double eyelid surgery by using palpebral marginal incision technique in Asians.

[BACKGROUND] Approximately 50% of Asians do not have upper eyelid creases. Full-incision methods may leave obvious scars and buried-suture methods cannot remove excess tissues to create a double eyelid. The new palpebral marginal incision technique masked the incision at the upper palpebral margin and removed the excess tissue, thereby achieving scarless and natural double eyelids.

[METHODS] The modified technique involved the incision site and positioning processes. The incision line is 1.0-1.5 mm above the palpebral margin. A strip of orbicularis muscle beneath the positioned double eyelid must be removed. The orbital septum is then exposed, and a certain amount of orbital fat is removed. Next, the dermis and tarsal plate are sutured in an orderly manner. Finally, a strip of the redundant skin located approximately 1-3 mm above the incision is excised to correct blepharochalasis before the skin is closed.

[RESULTS] This new technique was performed in 212 patients including 56 patients with blepharochalasis who had their skin excised during the surgery. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Ninety-five percent of the patients rated excellent and good and that they were satisfied with their surgery, and no significant complications occurred.

[CONCLUSIONS] The following are the advantages of the authors' technique: (1) minimal or even no surgical scarring is discernible on the eyelids even when they are closed; (2) solves the problem of excessive tissue and correct blepharochalasis; and (3) the double eyelid fold is stable and natural for a long time.