Blepharoptosis Repair through the Small Orbital Septum Incision and Minimal Dissection Technique in Patients with Coexisting Dermatochalasis

PURPOSE: To describe a modified surgical technique for blepharoptosis repair through a small orbital septum incision and minimal dissection, along with the results obtained in patients with coexisting dermatochalasis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review included 33 patients (52 eyelids) with blepharoptosis coexisting with dermatochalasis, surgically corrected through a small orbital septum incision and minimal dissection after redundant upper lid skin excision, by placing a single fixation suture between the levator aponeurosis and the tarsal plate. Outcome measures included the pre- and postoperative marginal reflex distances (MRD1), eyelid contour, post-operative complications, and need for reoperation. RESULTS: The pre- and postoperative MRD1 averaged 1.1 ± 0.8 mm and 2.8 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. Of the 33 patients, 9 patients (9 eyelids) underwent surgery on one eyelid for unilateral blepharoptosis and dermatochalasis (Group I), 5 patients (5 eyelids) underwent a simple skin excision blepharoplasty of the contralateral eyelid (Group II), and 19 patients (38 eyelids) underwent bilateral blepharoptosis and dermatochalasis repair (Group III). Of the 14 eyelids that underwent unilateral ptosis repair (Groups I and II), 12 eyelids (85.7%) showed less than a 1-mm difference from the contralateral eyelid. Of the 38 eyelids that underwent bilateral ptosis repair (Group III), 27 eyelids (71.1%), 5 eyelids (13.1%), and 6 eyelids (15.8%) had excellent, good, and poor outcomes, respectively. Overall, 44 eyelids (84.6%) out of a total of 52 eyelids had successful outcomes; the remaining 8 eyelids demonstrated unsatisfactory eyelid contour was corrected by an additional surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharoptosis repair through a small orbital septum incision and minimal dissection can be considered an efficient technique in patients with ptosis and dermatochalasis.