Epiblepharon of the lower eyelid: technique of surgical repair and quantification of excision according to the skin fold height.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To describe our excisional technique for lower eyelid epiblepharon to reduce a medial undercorrection and to provide a guide for the excision amount using a classification system of epiblepharon according to the skin fold height. PATIENTS AND METHODS After classification, an elliptical excision of skin and orbicularis muscle, including that below the lower canaliculus after tarsal suturing of the upper edge of the incised skin, was consecutively performed for 111 eyelids of 58 patients. The widest width of the excisional ellipse was measured. RESULTS The results were successful in 108 eyelids. The mean widest width of the excisional ellipse was 1.1, 1.7, 2.5, and 3.0 mm in Class I, II, III, and IV epiblepharons, respectively. CONCLUSION This surgical technique is effective for the correction of epiblepharon, and it is easy to determine the amount of excision. Using this technique, a 1 mm to 3 mm width of excision is sufficient.