Ptosis can be unilateral or bilateral, congenital or acquired. Regardless of type, ptosis impacts daily life, affecting both aesthetics and health. Therefore, ptosis correction surgery is essential. So, how is ptosis correction surgery performed?
How is ptosis correction surgery performed?Let our experts provide a detailed explanation:
1. Incision Design: Mark the incision line at the 6-7mm crease above the upper eyelid margin.
2. Anesthesia: Adults receive local infiltration anesthesia; children undergo endotracheal intubation with inhalation anesthesia.
3. Incision:
Levator Aponeurosis Plasty: Following the planned incision, dissect and excise portions of the orbicularis oculi muscle and connective tissue anterior to the tarsal plate to expose its superior margin.Elevate the skin with a retractor and dissect the levator aponeurosis. Determine whether to longitudinally transect the medial and lateral heads of the levator aponeurosis based on the required length of separation.
Levator Muscle Shortening Correction: Incise the skin along the marked line. Dissect and resect portions of the orbicularis oculi muscle anterior to the tarsal plate, connective tissue, and tarsal plate to expose the levator aponeurosis.Then, make vertical incisions on the medial and lateral sides of the levator aponeurosis at the upper margin of the tarsal plate. Separate the levator muscle from the bulbar conjunctiva. At the upper margin of the tarsal plate, transect the levator muscle. Generally, for every 1mm correction of ptosis, shorten the levator muscle by 4-6mm or more.
Frontalis Fascia Suspension: Incise the skin and orbicularis oculi muscle down to the underlying layer, reaching the upper tarsal plate. Then dissect the orbital septum, the anterior portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle attached to the orbital septum, and the frontalis tendon membrane. Transverse transection of the frontalis muscle is performed. Finally, suture the frontalis fascia flap to secure it to the upper margin of the tarsal plate.
4. Suturing: Fold and suture the tendon membrane using absorbable sutures.
5. Knot fixation: Elevate the upper eyelid to the desired height, secure with knots, and apply pressure bandaging to complete the ptosis correction procedure.
Editor's Note: Different types of ptosis require tailored corrective approaches. If you experience ptosis, consult a plastic surgeon at a specialized hospital for detailed information on correction methods.