Medial canthopexy using Y-V epicanthoplasty incision in the correction of telecanthus

Telecanthus occurs because of the disruption of the medial canthal tendon (MCT). The deformity of medial canthus can result from nasoorbitoethmoid fractures, tumor resection, craniofacial exposure, congenital malposition, or aging. Repair of the MCT using transnasal wiring is regarded as a method of choice to treat telecanthus. We have introduced an oblique transnasal wiring using Y-V epicanthoplasty incision rather than the well-known classical bicoronal approach.

Eight patients with telecanthus were treated with this method. Through the medial canthal horizontal and periciliary incision, we could have an access to the medial orbital wall and the MCT. An oblique transnasal wiring was performed with the following steps: (1) after slit skin incision on the nasal recession of the contralateral frontoglabella area, 2 drill holes were made from this point to the superior and posterior region of the lacrimal fossa of the affected orbit; (2) a 2-0 wire was passed through the MCT and the holes; (3) the wire was pulled and tightened until the MCT was ensured and was twisted in the contralateral side. After the repositioning of the MCT, the skin was simply sutured. The excess skin was trimmed, and then the skin was sutured with nylon 7-0. The remaining "dog ear" in the lateral portion can be removed by additional periciliary skin incision and excision.

All the patients achieved an improvement and a prompt recovery. The interepicanthal distance was decreased by 6.3 mm on average compared with that in the preoperative condition. All patients had no complication associated with surgeries. Of posttraumatic telecanthus, 5 patients were much satisfied with the outcomes, and 1 patient had recurrence on postoperative month 3. In cases of congenital anomaly or neoplasm, the telecanthus was also improved.

An oblique transnasal wiring using Y-V epicanthoplasty incision could be a simple, safe method to correct the telecanthus with the following advantages: first, we could fix the MCT to the appropriate position with oblique transnasal wiring; second, a horizontal incision and a periciliary incision could be acquired with enough operative fields; third, Y-V epicanthoplasty incision is an effective method for minimizing unsightly scar formation.