Use of tarsal plate resection in blepharoplasty on atonic lower lids

We did blepharoplasties with tarsal plate resections on 24 lower lids in 13 patients, two of whom had an established ectropion and 11 of whom had a tendency to a lax ectropion. No ectropion developed in these high risk patients. The tarsal plate resection may be useful for an established atonic ectropion, or in a primary blepharoplasty or in secondary blepharoplasty patients with atonic lower lids. It should not cause detectable scarring.