eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Cosmetic Surgery

Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach: Follow-up

Author: Suzanne K Doud Galli, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Cosmetic Facial Surgery, Private Practice
Coauthor(s): Philip J Miller, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New York University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 8, 2009

Outcome and Prognosis

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty allows the surgeon to offer a scar-free rejuvenation of the lower lid and has met with a high degree of patient satisfaction. The risk of complication from this procedure is low, although patients must be properly counseled preoperatively (as with any blepharoplasty). The adjunct use of other rejuvenation techniques supports the continued use of this approach in an expanded population of patients.

Future and Controversies

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty has gained in popularity, and more than 60% of blepharoplasty patients are treated using this approach. Some surgeons may be committed to the transcutaneous approach for the older patient with skin laxity and redundancy, although the combination of additional techniques to address the skin at blepharoplasty is now more accepted.

The future of blepharoplasty lies not in the selection of the approach but in the decision to excise fat. Recent discussions have focused on fat preservation techniques in which fat is not excised. These techniques transfer fat over the inferior orbital rim and therefore provide a smoother transition from orbital eyelid contour to cheek contour. Fat repositioning can be accomplished through the transconjunctival approach.

 


More on Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach

Overview: Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach
Workup: Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach
Treatment: Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach
Follow-up: Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach
Multimedia: Blepharoplasty, Transconjunctival Approach
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery, transconjunctival lower lid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid surgery, pseudoherniation, cosmetic blepharoplasty, herniated orbital fat, pseudoherniated orbital fat, rhytid, orbital fat, festoons, bags, puffiness, skin laxity, scleral show, ectropion, blepharochalasis, orbicularis oculi hypertrophy, pseudoproptosis, eyelid, cosmetic surgery

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Suzanne K Doud Galli, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Cosmetic Facial Surgery, Private Practice
Suzanne K Doud Galli, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Rhinologic Society, and Triological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Philip J Miller, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New York University School of Medicine
Philip J Miller, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS, Consulting Staff, Private Practice
Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Consulting

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Keith A LaFerriere, MD, Clinical Professor, Fellowship Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Missouri at Columbia
Keith A LaFerriere, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Missouri State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown

 
 
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