Application of infraorbital rim augmentation with pocket fat filling to correct tear trough deformity

Background

Tear trough deformity is one of the most common complaints in clinical settings. The correction of this groove is challenging in facial rejuvenation. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty varies with different conditions. A novel approach of using orbital fat in the lower eyelid to increase the volume of the infraorbital rim with granule fat injection has been applied in our institution for more than 5 years.

Objectives

This article aims to describe the detailed steps of our technique and verify its effectiveness by a cadaveric head dissection after surgical simulation.

Methods

In this study, a total of 172 patients with tear trough deformity underwent lower eyelid orbital rim augmentation with fat filling in the sub-periosteum pocket. According to Barton's grades, 152 patients underwent lower eyelid orbital rim augmentation with orbital fat filling, 12 patients had it combined with autologous granule fat from other body parts, and 8 patients received only transconjunctival fat removal to correct tear trough.

Results

The modified Goldberg score system was used to compare preoperative and postoperative photographs. Patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. Excessive protruding fat was released, and the tear trough groove was flattened by using autologous orbital fat transplantation. The lower eyelid sulcus deformities were well-corrected. To further illustrate the anatomical structure of the lower eyelid area and injection layers, six cadaveric heads were used for surgical simulation and demonstrated the effectiveness of our technique.

Conclusions

This study indicated that the infraorbital rim could be increased by transplanting orbital fat to the pocket, which was dissected under the periosteum, and the procedure has been verified as reliable and effective.

Evidence-based medicine EBM level

Level II.

TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL APPROACH FOR SURGICAL REPAIR OF INFRAORBITAL RIM FRACTURES AND ORBITAL FLOOR FRACTURES

AIMS

The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the use of a transconjunctival surgical approach in maxillofacial surgery on the fractures of the infraorbital rim and the orbital floor by analyzing the operating time, the incidence of perioperative and postoperative complications, as well as the functional and aesthetic outcomes of transconjunctival surgical treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All the patients on whom we used a transconjunctival approach from December 2017 to December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. The epidemiological causes of fractures of the midface skeleton were analyzed. The length of the operating time of the transconjunctival approach with lateral canthotomy was compared with a control group in which the supraorbital eyebrow approach was performed. In addition, we analyzed the incidence of perioperative and postoperative complications in comparison with publications from other centers.

RESULTS

We used the transconjunctival approach 103 times on 89 patients (in 14 patients the transconjunctival approach was performed bilaterally). In cases where the lateral canthotomy was used to extend the transconjunctival approach, there was no prolongation of the operating time. Perioperative complications included the perforation of the lower eyelid in 2 patients. In the postoperative period we recorded complications in 3 patients. Ectropion of the lower eyelid was present in one patient and entropion of the lower eyelid was observed in two patients. The percentage of perioperative and postoperative complications does not exceed the incidence of complications in transcutaneous approaches on the infraorbital rim.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of our study, we can consider the transconjunctival approach, either alone or in combination with lateral canthotomy.