Malebrowliftand Blepharoplasty: Paris Jasmine Austell,, Edwin Francis Williams Iii
Malebrowliftand Blepharoplasty: Paris Jasmine Austell,, Edwin Francis Williams Iii
Malebrowliftand Blepharoplasty: Paris Jasmine Austell,, Edwin Francis Williams Iii
B l e p h a ro p l a s t y
Paris Jasmine Austell, MD, MBA*, Edwin Francis Williams III, MD
KEYWORDS
Male brow lift Male blepharoplasty Upper blepharoplasty Lower blepharoplasty
Direct brow lift Midforehead lift Coronal brow lift Endoscopic brow lift
KEY POINTS
Understand key differences in male anatomy of the forehead, brow, and eyelid complexes.
Learn age-related changes of the eyelid and brows in men.
Summarize indications along with a history and physical examination of the male patient prior to
undergoing brow lift and blepharoplasty.
Learn surgical approaches to performing upper and lower blepharoplasty in men.
Understand indications for and approaches to the direct, midforehead, coronal, pretrichial, and
endoscopic brow lift techniques in the male patient.
balance of the facial structure. The medial aspect Laterally in the temporal region of the forehead,
lies along the alar-facial crease. Laterally, the brow the skin overlies a thin layer of subcutaneous
The Williams Center for Plastic Surgery, 1072 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110, USA
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: paustel09@gmail.com
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384 Austell & Williams III
tissue, which lies immediately above the superfi- The upper lid contains medial and central fat
cial temporal fascia (also known as the temporo- pads separated by the trochlea. The lateral aspect
parietal fascia [TPF]). The TPF fuses with the of the upper lid is occupied by the lacrimal gland.
galea of the scalp superiorly and medially as well In the lower lid, fat is compartmentalized into
as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system medial, central, and lateral pockets. The inferior
at the level of the zygoma. The facial nerve rests oblique muscle delineates the medial and central
deep to the TPF, superficial to the deep temporal fat pads. Of note, the medial fat pad is more
fascia. The deep temporal fascia divides into su- fibrous and paler in appearance. The arcuate
perficial and deep layers to envelop the temporal expansion creates a partition between the central
fat pad, medial to which rests the temporalis and lateral fat pads.
muscle. Aging of the upper eyelid leads to excess skin,
Contraction of the frontalis and brow depressors or dermatochalasis, and is the target of upper
leads to rhytids seen with aging. Along with deep- blepharoplasty. In the lower eyelid, the orbital
ening of furrows, aging of the brow leads to soft- septum weakens over time and causes pseudo-
tissue laxity and descent of the brow complex. In herniation of the orbital fat pads. Additionally,
men with brow ptosis, unconscious frontalis descent of the SOOF leads to tear trough defor-
contraction occurs to improve visualization and mity and may also cause a hollowed appearance.4
causes transverse furrows.1 Contraction of the
corrugator and depressor supercilii creates verti- HISTORY AND EXAMINATION
cal glabellar lines. Transverse glabellar lines arise
from contraction of the procerus. It is imperative to obtain an extensive ocular his-
tory prior to performing blepharoplasty. Condi-
tions including dry eye, autoimmune disease
Eyelid
(Grave’s, Sjogren’s, and so forth), and glaucoma
The eyelids serve to protect the globe from envi- are amongst a long list of disorders that may pre-
ronmental exposure and assist with the distribu- clude cosmetic blepharoplasty.5,6 A test of visual
tion of tears. At rest, the upper eyelid sits 1 to acuity should be conducted by the surgeon or an
2 mm inferior to the superior limbus. The lower ophthalmologist. Schirmer’s test may be used to
eyelid sits at the level of the inferior limbus. In an determine the degree of dry eye, if present.6 Lower
esthetically appealing eye, the lateral canthus lid laxity should be assessed with a lid distraction
rests 2 to 4 mm superior to the medial canthus. test. If the lid does not instantly return to anatomic
The eyelid is composed of 2 major lamellae with position, abnormal laxity should be suspected. A
the anterior portion consisting of skin and orbicula- distance of greater than 6 mm between the lid
ris oculi (Fig. 1). The posterior lamella consists of and cornea with distraction is also indicative of
septum, tarsus, and conjunctiva. Some academi- pathologic laxity. Midface aging and anatomy are
cians consider the septum to be a separate “mid- also important in determining candidacy for lower
dle” lamella dividing the anterior and posterior blepharoplasty. A negative vector increases the
segments.4 The orbicularis oculi is classified into risk for postoperative lid malposition and poor
palpebral (pretarsal and preseptal) and orbital seg- cosmesis if corrective adjunctive procedures are
ments. The palpebral portion rests anterior to the not performed.7 The degree of upper lid skin laxity
tarsal plates and septum and is responsible for should be determined in order to more accurately
blinking. The orbital portion lies anterior to the assess the cosmetic outcome. In downward gaze,
orbital rim and is involved in forceful eye closure. the distance from the upper eyelid margin to the lid
The septum is composed of connective tissue crease should be 7 to 8 mm in men (in women, 8–
and serves as an important barrier to infection as 10 mm is normal). It is prudent to assess levator
well as an attachment for retractors of the lids. It function prior to blepharoplasty. When the frontalis
also delineates fat compartments within the upper is at rest, normal excursion of the upper lid margin
and lower eyelids. In the upper lid, the retroorbital from downward to upward gaze is 12 to 15 mm.
fat lies posterior to the orbicularis oculi and ante- Excursion less than 12 mm may be indicative of
rior to the septum. The sub-orbicularis oculi fat ptosis. The marginal reflex distance (MRD) mea-
(SOOF) resides in an analogous position in the sures interpalpebral distance and should also be
lower lid. The main upper-lid retractor, the levator noted to assess the need for ptosis repair. The
aponeurosis, attaches to the septum at the lid MRD-1 is the distance between the center of the
crease. In the lower lid, the septum inserts into pupillary light reflex and the upper eyelid margin
the analogous capsulopalpebral fascia. in primary gaze and is normally 4 to 5 mm. MRD-
Within the orbit are separate fat compartments 2 describes the distance from the lower lid margin
that are commonly removed in blepharoplasty. to the corneal light reflex and is 5 mm in a normal
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Male Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty 385
Fig. 1. Eye lid composition. Copyright Ó 2010 J. M. Ridgway, M.D. Used with permission.
patient. Taken together, the palpebral opening The esthetics of the brow including its shape and
should be 9 to 10 mm. Ptosis is suspected when symmetry should also be noted.
MRD-1 is less than the norm and may indicate
levator aponeurosis dehiscence.
SURGICAL APPROACHES
Brow position is important to assess prior to per-
Blepharoplasty
forming both brow lift and blepharoplasty. At rest,
the male brow should sit at the level of the supraor- Upper lid
bital rim. Many patients with brow ptosis activate The patient is examined in preoperative holding in
their frontalis at rest to combat brow depression. the upright position. A surgical marking pen is
To most accurately assess static brow position, pa- used to define the supratarsal crease. It is prudent
tients are asked to forcefully close their eyes. Upon to place the brow in its anatomically correct posi-
lid opening, the brow position is assessed. A com- tion prior to marking the lid crease. The incision
bination of a ptotic lid and brow may be addressed begins just lateral to the medial caruncle and
in the same procedure, beginning with correction of extends to the lateral orbital rim. Skin is grasped
the brow position. The degree of rhytids is until 1 to 3 mm of the orbit is exposed and the su-
assessed to assist with determination of surgical perior extent of dissection is marked at the medial
approach. Of equal importance is noting the fore- limbus, pupillary line, and lateral limbus. Care is
head height and shape in addition to hair quality. taken to leave at least 10 mm of skin from the
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386 Austell & Williams III
brow to the upper lid crease. If orbital fat is to be fibers.8 The septum is entered along the inferior
removed, areas of significant bulging are also orbital rim. Similar to the upper lid, each fat pad is
marked. individually dissected and removed with great
When performed as a sole procedure, upper attention to hemostasis. Any excess skin is then
blepharoplasty is most easily conducted in an of- trimmed. If lid malposition is noted, a canthopexy
fice setting under local anesthesia. Preoperative with or without a lateral tarsal strip may be per-
anxiolytics are prescribed to increase patient com- formed. The flap is then repositioned in a superolat-
fort. The senior author prefers to use the clamp eral direction and sutured.
method for upper blepharoplasty. The previously When performing transconjunctival blepharo-
marked excess skin is grasped with an Allis clamp plasty, either a preseptal or postseptal approach
beginning at the medial aspect and is progres- is taken. In postseptal blepharoplasty, an incision
sively pressed between the tines in a lateral direc- is made 2 to 3 mm from the fornix. Dissection is car-
tion. The skin is then removed with a fine scissor. If ried out inferiorly until the fat pads are broached. A
excision of fat is indicated, the septum is sharply preseptal incision is made 1 to 2 mm below the infe-
entered midway between the superior orbital rim rior border of the tarsal plate. Fat is similarly
and tarsal plate. Each fat pat is gently teased out dissected. Care is taken to identify and protect
and clamped with a hemostat prior to being the inferior oblique muscle. Suture repair is unnec-
removed with cautery. Careful attention is paid to essary; however, closure of the conjunctiva with an
maintenance of hemostasis to reduce the risk of absorbable suture may be performed if desired.
orbital hematoma. The skin is closed with a 6- In cases of mild rhytids or dyschromia, lower lid
0 or 7-0 nonabsorbable suture. Typically, 1 to skin resurfacing may be undertaken with a chemi-
2 mm of lagophthalmos is noted at the end of cal peel or laser.
the procedure. This typically resolves within the
first few postoperative days as resolution of Complications
edema ensues. A dreaded complication of blepharoplasty is retro-
bulbar hematoma. High intraorbital pressures
Lower lid reduce blood flow and may lead to blindness
Lower blepharoplasty is conducted under intrave- without prompt treatment. This condition should
nous or general anesthesia. Lower lid fat pads are be suspected with visual changes, dispropor-
marked in preoperative holding with the patient tionate increases in pain, and tense proptosis.
looking up. This positioning allows the surgeon to Elevated intraocular pressures may also be noted.
most accurately assess pseudoherniated fat pads Immediate treatment consists of urgent lateral
and any existing asymmetries not obviously seen canthotomy and wound exploration to identify
in neutral gaze or in preoperative photos. If a patient the source of bleeding. Ophthalmology should be
has excess lower lid skin requiring removal, consulted to monitor intraocular pressures and vi-
marking may be conducted under anesthesia. sual acuity.
Deciding between transconjunctival and trans- Overcorrection of upper lid position can lead to
cutaneous approaches is dependent upon several incomplete closure of the lid, or lagophthalmos.
individual patient factors. Young patients with min- Patients may develop exposure keratitis as a
imal skin changes and notable fat pad pseudoher- result. This condition is best remedied with skin
niation are best treated with a transconjunctival grafts harvested from the pre-auricular or post-
approach. Elderly patients or those with notable auricular region and placed at the upper lid
excess skin may benefit from a transcutaneous crease.9 Ectropion may also result as a complica-
blepharoplasty. Attention must be paid to preex- tion of lower lid blepharoplasty. It is typically cor-
isting lid malposition (ectropion, entropion, and rected with a lateral tarsal strip procedure. In
so forth), and any existing abnormalities should severe cases, a skin graft may be required.9
be corrected at the time of surgery.
Brow
If skin excision is indicated, the incision is placed
1.5 to 2 mm below the lash line. Medially, the inci- A multitude of surgical approaches exists for brow-
sion begins just lateral to the inferior punctum and plasty. As previously noted, anatomic consider-
is carried out laterally to the orbital rim. When per- ations are particularly important for male patients
formed in conjunction with upper blepharoplasty, including the position of the hairline and the pres-
the incision is placed at least 5 to 8 mm from the ence of rhytids, along with forehead shape and
upper lid incision. A skin-only flap is elevated over prominence. Studies have shown no statistical
the pretarsal orbicularis oculi. The flap is converted difference in postoperative outcomes between
to a skin-muscle flap over the septum with careful different techniques.10 Individual differences
separation of the pretarsal and preseptal muscle among patients and surgeon preference should
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Male Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty 387
be taken into consideration when choosing a surgi- several years, it was the gold standard approach
cal approach. given its wide dissection plane which allows for
correction of all aspects of forehead and brow posi-
Direct approach tion. The coronal lift does require a lengthy incision,
The direct brow lifting technique is the simplest, which is a relative contraindication in the balding
most predictable approach to brow lift as it targets patient and may be visible in a patient with hair
the immediate area of concern.11 It is easily per- when wet. Additionally, patients may experience
formed in the office under local anesthesia. How- prolonged postoperative hypesthesia due to exten-
ever, this approach leaves a conspicuous scar sive dissection.12 Intravenous or general anesthesia
which must be taken into consideration during is typically indicated for this approach.
preoperative counseling. Direct brow lifts are an The incision is marked from ear to ear 4 to 6 cm
excellent option for males with balding, severe posterior to the hairline. Incision is made until the
brow asymmetry, a lack of concern regarding galea is encountered. Dissection is performed in
scar appearance, and the absence of deep fore- the subgaleal plane and the cavity is widely
head rhytids. It is important to discuss goals of elevated to release the brow at the arcus margin-
brow placement and incision length in the preop- alis and conjoint tendons. Excess skin is removed
erative setting. For example, if a patient desires and the incision is closed in 2 layers with braided,
only lateral brow elevation, a limited incision may absorbable, deep-dermal sutures, and surgical
be placed just above the lateral aspect. clips.
An incision is marked immediately above the
most cephalically positioned brow hairs. The Pretrichial approach
brow is then digitally moved to mimic the desired A pretrichial brow lift is ideal for the patient with a
brow position and this is marked as the superior high hairline, as it reduces vertical forehead
limb of the incision. Local anesthesia is infiltrated height.13 This approach does result in a visible
and the incision is undertaken with a no.15 blade. scar along the hairline and similar to the coronal
Medially, the incision is carried superficial to the approach, it may lead to significant postoperative
frontalis muscle. Laterally, only skin is incised to hypesthesia. Alopecia is an additional possible
avoid injury to the temporal branch of the facial complication with the pretrichial approach. Pa-
nerve. If brow paralysis is noted on preoperative tients are best treated with intravenous or general
examination, one may elect to remove a small el- anesthesia.
lipse of frontalis muscle. The skin is then sharply An incision is marked at the hairline above the
excised and hemostasis achieved. The wound is root of the helix and is carried immediately anterior
closed in 2 layers with braided, absorbable, to the hairline. The incision is intentionally made
deep-dermal sutures, and nonabsorbable skin irregular to improve scar appearance. The brow
sutures. is then released and secured similarly to the coro-
Indirect approach nal brow lift approach.
The indirect, or midforehead, approach is appro-
priate for male patients with existing deep rhytids. Endoscopic approach
The procedure may be performed under local The endoscopic approach is ideal for patients who
anesthesia with consideration of preoperative an- do not require change in forehead height (Fig. 3).
xiolytics. This approach may leave a visible scar, Though the hairline can be raised, this approach al-
which can be particularly prominent in males with lows modifications to be individualized to each pa-
thick, sebaceous skin (Fig. 2). An incision is tient. The senior author most frequently performs
marked within an existing forehead crease. When brow lifts via this approach under direct visualiza-
both brows are corrected, a single long incision tion without the use of endoscopes. This technique
may be made in 1 crease or 2 incisions staggered allows the surgeon to safely conduct a more effi-
in separate creases. The incision is carried out cient and straightforward procedure without
similarly to the direct approach. Dissection is per- increased morbidity. When cameras are used, pa-
formed superficial to the frontalis muscle down to tients with significant frontal bossae are not ideal
the supraorbital rim. The brow is then suspended candidates given inadequate visualization. Tem-
in the desired position and secured to the frontalis porary shock hair loss may occur postoperatively.
with a braided, absorbable suture. The skin is Either intravenous or general anesthesia is indi-
closed with a nonabsorbable suture. cated for the endoscopic approach.
The senior author uses 4 incisions for this
Coronal approach approach. Two paramedian incisions are marked
The coronal approach is used in patients who have vertically approximately 5 mm posterior to the
a low hairline with significant brow ptosis. For hairline at the highest desired point of brow
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388 Austell & Williams III
Fig. 2. (A) A 74-year-old male with unilateral brow asymmetry after parotidectomy. (B) One month after midfore-
head brow lift. (C) Seven months after midforehead brow lift with notably improved scar appearance.
elevation and are 2 to 3 cm in length.14,15 The tem- The senior author cautions against corrugator
poral incisions are made 2 cm posterior to the hair- and procerus resection to reduce the risk of medial
line and are 3 to 4 cm in length.14 A no.15 blade is brow widening and excessive elevation in this re-
used to make the paramedian incisions until bone gion. The temporal incisions are made until the
is visualized. Periosteal elevators are used to TPF is encountered. The brow is bluntly released
release the brow in a subperiosteal plane. If endo- to the level of the lateral canthus. Care is taken
scopes are used, dissection is paused 2 cm supe- not to perform complete release in this region to
rior to the supraorbital rim at which point cameras avoid changing the shape of the eye. If endo-
are introduced to clearly visualize the supraorbital scopes are used, they are introduced when the
neurovascular bundle. The senior author prefers conjoint tendon is encountered to avoid injury to
gentle, blunt dissection in the region of the neuro- the temporal branch of the facial nerve. The
vascular bundle and has not experienced neuro- sentinel vein may be visualized and cautery is
praxia or significant bleeding with this technique. avoided in this region to reduce the risk of facial
Fig. 3. (A) A 62-year-old male with brow ptosis and bilateral dermatochalasis. (B) Well-healed after endoscopic
brow lift and bilateral upper blepharoplasty.
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Male Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty 389
nerve injury. If cautery is necessary, a bipolar position is performed. Resection of the corrugators
device is used with caution. The senior author pre- and procerus muscles may widen and excessively
fers gentle, blunt dissection in this region under elevate the medial brow leading to an unnatural
direct visualization. Bone tunnels are then drilled appearance.
(accessed through paramedian incisions) and the
brow is secured with a 2-0 polyglactin (Vicryl, Ethi- SUMMARY
con) suture. The temporal portion of the brow is
secured to temporalis fascia and muscle with a Knowledge of male anatomy is the key to perform-
2-0 polyglactin suture, taking care to avoid stran- ing brow lift and blepharoplasty in this population.
gulation of the muscle which may cause increased Variations in skin thickness, brow and eyelid posi-
postoperative pain and trismus. Although out of tion, and individual patient esthetics must all be
the scope of this article, it is noted that midface taken into consideration prior to performing these
ptosis may be addressed via this approach procedures. Extensive preoperative counseling
through temporal incisions. The incisions are regarding risks and limitations and discussion of
then closed with braided, deep-dermal sutures, patient goals are imperative to achieving optimal
and surgical clips. outcomes.
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390 Austell & Williams III
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