Evaluation of Fat Excision versus Sparing in Lower Blepharoplasty Using Orbital Gray Scale Analysis

Orbital septum plication provides various benefits, including eliminating the necessity for a septal incision and the ability to relocate infraorbital fat in a more anatomically suitable manner. This study aimed to compare the results of traditional lower blepharoplasty with fat excision and the orbital septal plication method using orbital grey scale analysis as a new objective method for assessment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on patients with bilateral baggy lower eyelids who underwent traditional lower blepharoplasty with fat excision or fat-sparing technique using orbital septal plication. All patients were followed up closely for 1 week and then after 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate the study’s outcomes. RESULTS: The study was conducted using 40 patients (20 patients per group). The total (medial, central, and lateral) orbital grey scale analysis showed a significant reduction in the fat-sparing and traditional groups (P < 0.001, each). However, the percentage of reduction was significantly higher in the fat-sparing group (34.6 ± 2.9 versus 15.5 ± 3.3 in the traditional groups; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The application of the fat-sparing technique is associated with favorable cosmetic outcomes and a lower complication rate than those of the traditional technique with fat excision. Further studies with a longer duration of follow-up and a larger sample size are required to estimate the risk of recurrence and the need for a revision procedure.