Correction of the Sunken Upper Eyelid Depending on the Dermatochalasis or Blepharoptosis Using the Autologous Fat Grafting

Background To date, many methods have been proposed to resolve the sunken eyelid. We treated our clinical cases of sunken upper eyelid based on whether there is a concurrent presence of the dermatochalasis or blepharoptosis and then performed the autologous fat grafting using either closed or open technique. Methods According to the classification of the patients, we used the following injection techniques: First, we solely performed the autologous fat grafting using the closed technique in the sunken upper eyelid only group, for which we did the injection using a micro-injector cannula on the suborbicularis plane. Second, we performed such procedures as skin excision, orbicularis oculi muscle strip excision and levator aponeurosis advancement to manage each symptom in the sunken upper eyelid with dermatochalasis or blepharoptosis group. Simultaneously, we also made a small window in the lateral portion of the orbital septum using the open technique with metzenbaum scissors. Thus, we performed the intraseptal injection of the autologous fat. Results During a period ranging from January of 2012 to April of 2014, we treated a total of 53 patients. The patients were followed up during a mean period of four months. Thus, we obtained satisfactory treatment outcomes without notable complications. Conclusions In conclusion, our results indicate not only that surgeons should consider the fat grafting as one of eyelid-surgery procedures but also that they should perform it concurrently with blepharoplasty or blepharoptosis correction for the purposes of obtaining good treatment outcomes. Keywords: Autologous fat graft, Blepharoptosis, Dermatochalasis, Fat transplantation, Sunken upper eyelid