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Central (third) fat pad of the upper eyelid
1Lidingö-Kliniken, Sweden.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Upper eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, reveals that periorbital fat is compartmentalized. Surgeons should be aware that three fat pads, not always two, may be present in the upper eyelid.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Anatomy
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Periorbital fat distribution is crucial in upper eyelid anatomy.
- Understanding compartmentalization aids surgical precision in blepharoplasty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate variations in upper eyelid fat pad anatomy.
- To enhance surgeon awareness of potential third fat pad presence during blepharoplasty.
Main Methods:
- Clinical study involving 55 consecutive patients undergoing blepharoplasty.
- Surgical anatomical assessment of upper eyelid fat compartments.
Main Results:
- Periorbital fat is confirmed to be encapsulated within distinct compartments.
- Upper eyelids exhibited two fat pads in 56% of cases and three fat pads in 44% of cases.
- A third fat pad was identified as a medial extension of the lateral fat pad, proposed as the 'central fat pad'.
Conclusions:
- Significant anatomical variation exists in upper eyelid fat pad configuration.
- Less experienced surgeons must recognize the potential for a third, or central, fat pad.
- Awareness of this anatomical variation can prevent incomplete surgical outcomes in blepharoplasty.
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