Z-Epicanthoplasty Combined with Double Eyelidplasty: Its Indication, Results & Pitfalls

Tark, Kwan Chul; Kim, Jee Myung

Abstract

The formation of pretarsal fold without modification of the medial canthal folds may produce eyes with rounder and narrower palpebral fissures. In the last 6 years, the authors performed double eyelidplasty in 16 patients with Oriental eyelids and type III medial epicanthal fold. In 9 patients, simple double eyelidplasty was performed and in 7 patients double eyelidplasty combined with Z-epicanthoplasty were performed. The aesthetic and functional outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction were followed up in 15 patients up to 5 years. In group of double eyelidplasty only, results were equivalent to Good selectively in only 4 patients who had relatively long preoperative palpebral fissure. The epifolds were sustaining in all patients. Remaining patients showed Fair or Poor results. In group of double eyelidplasty combined with Z-epicanthoplasty, all patients showed Good or Excellent results except one who had defective scar maturation. To achieve apparent aesthetic enhancement and beautiful looking eyes with lengthy palpebral fissure in patients with Type III or IV medial canthal epifold, epicanthoplasty should be combined with double eyelidplasty. It achieves apparent aesthetic enhancement by eliminating the medial epicanthal fold and opening the lacrimal lake widely leaving minimal scar and natural supratarsal skin fold line in a single stage operation.