Evaluation of the eyebrow position after levator resection

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Blepharoptosis surgery, specifically levator resection, can lead to secondary eyebrow ptosis.
• The precise incidence and measurement of eyebrow drooping post-surgery require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify eyebrow height changes after levator resection in blepharoptosis patients.
• To assess the correlation between skin excision and eyebrow drooping post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Levator resection was performed on 47 patients (84 eyelids) with blepharoptosis.
• Eyebrow heights were measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using scanned photographs at the medial canthus, pupil center, and lateral canthus.

Main Results:

• Eyebrow drooping occurred in 90% of eyelids post-levator resection, with mean drooping distances of 2.74 mm (medial), 2.91 mm (pupil center), and 2.58 mm (lateral).
• Significant differences in eyebrow drooping were observed between groups with and without extra skin excision (p < 0.05).
• Age differences existed between the skin excision groups, potentially confounding results.

Conclusions:

• Levator resection for blepharoptosis frequently results in eyebrow drooping.
• The exact distance of postoperative eyebrow drooping is challenging to predict preoperatively.