Secondary blepharoplasty

9 Secondary blepharoplasty


Techniques






Introduction


Each year, over 200 000 people in the United States have a blepharoplasty operation.1 These operations are generally very successful with a high level of patient satisfaction. Successful operations are the result of thorough preoperative evaluation, skillfully performed customized surgical procedures, uneventful anesthesia, proper surgical venue and individualized postoperative management. Although rare, complications and unfavorable results may occur following blepharoplasty. It has been estimated that the complication rate following blepharoplasty is 2%.221 Minor complications are temporary and self-limiting with minimal visual disturbance or aesthetic consequence (Table 9.1). Major complications are definitely undesirable and potentially disastrous. They include visual loss, fixed eyelid deformities, corneal decomposition, and significant aesthetic compromise (Table 9.2). In addition, an apparent technically successful operation may produce a very unhappy patient.


Table 9.1 Minor blepharoplasty complications










From Jelks GW, Jelks EB. Blepharoplasty. In: Peck GC, ed. Complications and problems in aesthetic plastic surgery. New York: Gower Medical Publishing; 1992.27


Table 9.2 Major blepharoplasty complications










From Jelks GW, Jelks EB. Blepharoplasty. In: Peck GC, ed. Complications and problems in aesthetic plastic surgery. New York: Gower Medical Publishing; 1992.27


Once the complication is discovered, a careful and thorough evaluation of the patient’s anatomical deformity and its prognosis is essential. If impending visual compromise is apparent, early emergent intervention may be warranted. Most lid malpositions are temporary and resolve within 4–6 weeks postoperatively. It is important to protect the cornea during this time. If the lid malpositions aggravate and contribute to corneal decompensation, they should be corrected as soon as possible. However, lid malpositions that do not compromise visual function may be corrected after scar maturation. In general, a delay in secondary surgical procedures to address the problem is recommended. Secondary surgery is more predictable in a surgical environment that is less inflammatory. Better results are obtained if secondary surgery can be postponed for at least 6 months and preferably 1 year following the initial surgery.


The effect of blepharoplasty procedure complications on patient and physician can be profound. When the results of an elective aesthetic surgical procedure are suboptimal, the patient usually becomes more difficult to manage. It is easier to manage a dissatisfied patient when there has been a thorough preoperative discussion of risks resulting in a signed informed consent to the procedure. It is imperative to have a handwritten note by the operating surgeon in the patient’s chart documenting the explanation of the proposed surgical procedures including any risks or complications to their surgery. In addition, the alternatives to surgery should be discussed.


Once a complication occurs, more time and effort by the physician and his support staff will be required. This often translates into arranging for more frequent office visits. The physician must devote more time to help the patient through this disappointing situation. Reassurance by the surgeon in the face of temporary complications will aid in patient acceptance of prolonged healing.


The easiest complication to avoid is failure to recognize a pre-existing condition that would increase the likelihood of an unfavorable result from standard blepharoplasty (Table 9.3).2225 The pre-existing conditions include: (1) medical or ophthalmological conditions that may increase the risk of visual impairment; (2) morphological variants that predispose the patient to post-blepharoplasty eyelid malpositions; (3) anatomical variations that may be accentuated after eyelid skin, muscle; and fat removal and, most importantly, (4) the psychological status of the patient and assessment of their expectations of surgery. The presence of a pre-existing condition does not preclude cosmetic blepharoplasty; however, the surgical timing, venue, and technique may have to be altered.


Table 9.3 Prevention of blepharoplasty complications: preoperative evaluation










The following discussion contains relevant information regarding anatomical zones of the eyelids as well as prevention, diagnosis, and management of complications in the post-blepharoplasty patient. Although malposition of both the upper and lower eyelid are presented, a particular emphasis is placed on unnatural distortion of the lower eyelid as these are the most common types of defects encountered.



Anatomical zones


To facilitate complete and thorough anatomical analysis, the eyelids are divided into zones (Fig. 9.1).22,26 Zone 0 includes the ocular globe and orbital structures behind the arcus marginalis, posterior lacrimal crest, and lateral retinaculum. Zones I and II include the upper eyelid and lower eyelid, respectively, from the lateral commissure to the temporal aspect of canalicular puncti. Zone III is the medial canthus with the lacrimal drainage system. Zone IV is the lateral retinaculum. Zones I–IV are further subdivided into structures that are anterior (preseptal) or posterior (postseptal) to the orbital septum. Zone V includes the contiguous periorbital structures of nasal, glabella, brow, forehead, temple, malar, and nasojugal regions which merge with zones I–IV (Fig. 9.2). The diagnosis and management of upper eyelid (zone I) and lower eyelid (zone II) complications that occur as a result of blepharoplasty procedures will be discussed in detail.





Corneal protection


In both primary and secondary surgery of the eyelids and orbital region, protection of the cornea is essential. Specially designed, protective contact lenses should be routine (Fig. 9.3).27 Colored lenses are preferred as they filter bright operating light if the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and they are also less often inadvertently left on the cornea postoperatively. The contact shell prevents desiccation and inadvertent corneal injury by an instrument or gauze. In order to avoid postoperative corneal abrasions, deep sutures on or near the conjunctival surface should be placed in such a manner that the knots are buried in the tissue or placed externally. A continuous buried suture that may be pulled out after healing is particularly useful in the approximation of tissue over the cornea. Skin grafts should not be placed in the conjunctival sac if they are to be in contact with the cornea; only conjunctival or other mucosal tissue is tolerated by the cornea.




Upper eyelid



Upper eyelid malposition: evaluation and management


A thorough evaluation of the upper eyelid (zone I) level is facilitated by dividing the structure into anterior, middle, and posterior lamella (Table 9.4). The anterior lamella is composed of upper lid skin and orbicularis muscle. The middle lamella is composed of the tarsus, levator mechanism, orbital septum, and fat. The posterior lamella consists of the conjunctiva. The palpebral aperture is primarily influenced by the upper eyelid levels (Fig. 9.4). The palpebral aperture usually varies in shape, size, and obliquity due to hereditary, racial, traumatic, or other acquired situations. The surrounding bony orbital anatomy, the internal orbital volume, and the integrity of the eyelids, with their muscular and tarsoligamentous supports, are some of the factors that influence the palpebral aperture (Figs 9.5, 9.6). It is also influenced by the relative amount of associated periorbital skin, fat, and soft tissues. Unique individual combinations of eyelid and orbital anatomy can cause variations in the palpebral aperture (Fig. 9.4).28






The eyelid fold position should also be evaluated. In the occidental patient, the upper eyelid fold is normally 8–10 mm above the lid margin. This corresponds to the superior attachments of the levator aponeurosis to the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelid. Above the lid fold, the aponeurosis does not attach to the preseptal or orbital subcutaneous tissue, and the overhanging skin forms a fold. Inferior to the lid fold there are levator attachments to the subcutaneous tissue overlying the tarsus. In the Asian patient, the orbital septum inserts more inferiorly onto the distal expansion of the levator aponeurosis, which allows more preaponeurotic fat to descend into the upper eyelid and the resultant lower eyelid crease. Blepharoplasty in Asians requires the identification of suborbicular fat. Dissection through this fat layer provides access to the orbital septum and the retroseptal (preaponeurotic) fat.


Ptosis and lid retraction are conditions that alter the palpebral aperture by affecting the anatomic position of the upper eyelid. Localization of any major eyelid pathology facilitates the delineation of corrective procedures. The most commonly seen upper eyelid complications requiring secondary correction are ptosis and lid retraction.



Ptosis


Ptosis is the abnormally low level of the upper eyelid.2831 Ptosis of the upper eyelid can result from damage to the levator complex during retroseptal dissection by direct trauma, hematoma, edema, or septal adhesions.28,3238 The normal upper eyelid level covers 2–3 mm of the superior limbus or lies at the level midway between the superior edge of a 4 mm pupil and the superior corneal limbus (Fig. 9.4). Preoperative variations in upper eyelid levels may result from the level of alertness, pharmacologic agents, direction of gaze, size of the ocular globe, orbital volume, visual acuity, and extraocular muscle balance.28 Occasionally, unrecognized ptosis manifests itself in the postoperative blepharoplasty patient. Review of the preoperative examination records and medical photography usually reveals the etiology. When no presenting condition can be documented, a surgical misadventure is implicated in the etiology.


Mechanical ptosis due to postoperative edema is symmetric and transient and usually resolves spontaneously within 48–72 h. A hematoma in the retroseptal space can cause impairment of levator muscle function, maintaining the upper eyelid in a ptotic position. Resorption of the hematoma may produce secondary fibrosis of the levator with persistent ptosis. Attempts to create high upper eyelid supratarsal folds involve fixing the skin muscle edges to the levator aponeurosis. This can lead to tractional ptosis if the lid fold is placed too high. The medial and lateral retinaculae become tense and lower the upper lid level. Treatment consists of observation and massage of the upper eyelid. If ptosis persists more than several weeks, removal of the supratarsal fixation sutures is necessary. Ptosis may also occur when adhesions develop between the orbital septum and the levator aponeurosis at a level higher than the original septal origin.


Ptosis is classified as mild at 1–2 mm, moderate at 2–3 mm, and severe at ≥4 mm.4,22,28 The amount of ptosis is documented by measuring the vertical dimensions of the palpebral apertures at the midpupillary line. The amount of levator function in millimeters is measured whenever ptosis is diagnosed in order to plan a surgical correction. The test is performed by examining the upper eyelid excursion from complete down gaze to up gaze, while blocking any contribution to upper eyelid elevation by the eyebrow (Fig. 9.7). Asymmetric or absent lid creases must be identified, because asymmetry can be accentuated with standard blepharoplasty techniques. The vertical dimensions of the palpebral apertures at the midpupillary line are also measured.23



Aponeurosis disinsertion, or dehiscence, is the most common form of acquired ptosis. The typical clinical presentation is a mild (1–2 mm) to moderate (2–3 mm) case of ptosis associated with thin upper eyelids, high lid folds, and good levator excursion (Figs 9.8, 9.9).28 The levator muscle originates from the apex of the orbit and passes anteriorly, becoming aponeurotic at the superior orbital margin to insert onto the anterior two-thirds of the anterior tarsal surface. Some fibers of the aponeurosis extend to the orbicularis fascia to attach to the dermis of the upper eyelid, forming the upper lid crease. The anterior orbital fat removed during upper blepharoplasty lies posterior to the septum and anterior to the levator aponeurosis. Inadvertent penetration or detachment injury to the levator aponeurosis can occur during removal of the preseptal orbicularis oculi muscle or retroseptal fat (Fig. 9.9A).




The condition is repaired by levator exploration and advancement of the aponeurotic structures to the anterior tarsus.3238 Patients with levator detachment should be repaired by levator advancement to the anterior tarsus. The Fasanella–Servat38 technique and its various modifications (Fig. 9.10), or variations of a tarso-mullerectomy are also excellent approaches to correct minimal ptosis.



Feb 21, 2016 | Posted by in General Surgery | Comments Off on Secondary blepharoplasty

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