Blepharoplasty and ptosis

Recent advances in local anesthetic techniques have led to suggestions that buffered solutions for infiltration increase patient comfort. The use of an eutectic mixture of local anesthetics cream has however proved to be disappointing. The use of monopolar electrocautery, carbon dioxide lasers, and high-frequency radio wave electrosection provide the surgeon with new modes of cutting and coagulation. Lower lid blepharoplasty via a conjunctival approach may avoid many of the complications of the anterior approach. Such complications may also be minimized by careful preoperative planning and frequently the inclusion of a lateral canthopexy in the surgical procedure. The lid height after anterior and posterior levator resection can now be set more accurately with adjustable suture techniques. A new technique combining a superior tarsectomy with levator resection is described. A range of materials for brow suspension are now available. Autogenous fascia lata remains the material of choice when available.