Upper eyelid lymphatic anatomy is associated with blepharoplasty recovery

Lymphatic vessels support wound recovery and absorb excess fluid. Blepharoplasty involves excess tissue excision, and this study investigated the relationship between lymph vessel density in excised tissue and the postoperative course.

Forty eyelids from 21 patients with blepharoptosis who underwent blepharoplasty were included. Each resected excess tissue sample was divided into 4 parts by 3 parasagittal cuts-medial, central, and lateral. The area percentages occupied by lymphatic vessels and elastic fibers in the inner tissue between skin and muscle, exposed by these cuts, were determined histologically. The wound-healing process was assessed at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, using a visual analog scale (VAS) to estimate edema and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) for scar assessment.

With increasing age, the area percentage of lymphatic vessels declined significantly (r = -0.581, p < 0.001), while an increase in solar elastosis was observed. The percentage of lymphatic vessels was highest on the medial side of the eyelid (p < 0.05), where their relative distribution to the "shallow layer" close to the skin was also the highest (p < 0.01). Independent of age, the VSS values at 2 weeks and 1 month postoperatively were significantly lower in patients with a higher area percentage of lymphatic vessels (2 weeks: p < 0.05; 1 month: p < 0.01).

In patients undergoing blepharoplasty, the percentage of lymphatic vessels in the upper eyelid tissue decreased with advancing age. Higher proportions of lymphatic vessels were associated with improved wound-healing outcomes.