Background: The epicanthal fold is a distinct characteristic of the upper eyelid in many Asians. To achieve satisfactory results, epicanthoplasty is usually performed with double eyelid plasty and blepharoptosis. Although many surgical procedures have been reported for the elimination of epicanthal folds, such as recurrence, copious designs, conspicuous scar, and unnatural palpebral contours are challenges to the surgeon and also make patients worried.
Methods: From June 2010 to June 2015, epicanthoplasty was performed for 236 Chinese female patients using transverse incision combined with pouch incision. The transverse straight incision was performed in new inner canthus to the original eanthal corner point, after the original inner canthus corner point was reached, the oblique parallel incision was performed along the lower eyelid, so that full subcutaneous separation was obtained on the upper and lower incision, the malpositioned isomerous orbicular muscle and thickened tissue were released and excised, so that the epicanthus skin was naturally restored, and finally the incision was sutured without tension. The extent of postoperative scarring and improvement of the epicanthal fold were evaluated after surgery. The medial canthal distance was measured preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively.
Results: The average intercanthal distance decreased significantly from a mean of 41.68 ± 2.57 mm preoperatively to 37.14 ± 1.94 mm 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05, paired t-test). And all patients were satisfied with the excellent aesthetic results in terms of an open medial canthus without definite recurrence, hypertrophic scarring, and other complications during the 12-month follow-up period.
Conclusion: Epicanthoplasty with transverse incision and pouch incision is a simple and effective method for elimination epicanthal folds, resulting in a pleasant visualization, inconspicuous scar. However, its long-term effects require further study.