Abstract
Purpose: Retro-orbicularis oculi fat (ROOF) and preseptal fat pad (PSF) are deep fat structures of frontal and supraorbital area, that encounter galeal fat pad (GFP). If galeal wall is weakened by aging process, GFP loses its anchoring structure, moved downward pushing ROOF and PSF. This especially occur in lateral brow area. As a result of drooping, eyebrow affects the eyelid covering PSF as a sac descended to a lateral hooding and ptotic eyelid simultaneously. Consequently, in the case of lateral hooding and brow ptosis, besides the skin, deep fat structures (ROOF and PSF) should be corrected as well. Methods: ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in subbrow resection were performed. 21 cases of patients from April, 2007 to January, 2008. Before surgery, all patients were examined carefully to evaluate the degrees of dermatochalasia, drooping of the eyebrow, marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), eyelid crease height. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia, then excised the drooped eyelid skin by lateral subbrow resection, removed proper amount of ROOF, repositioned ROOF-PSF at the supraorbital rim, and fix it on periosteum. During follow up periods, the patients were surveyed of the satisfaction of surgery, and postoperative MRD1 was evaluated. Results: One patient had a hematoma on left eyebrow, and another one patient had a numbness on left forehead for two months. Except for these two patients, all patients had good results without any significant complications. The mean follow up period was about 5 months, and the position of lateral eyebrow maintained above the supraorbital rim in all cases. Postoperatively, MRD1 increased by 0.8 mm in 5-months mean follow up period. Conclusion: In patient with lateral brow ptosis and lateral hooding, the ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in sub-brow resection could be a good operative option.