Fat Grafting in Hollow Upper Eyelids and Volumetric Upper Blepharoplasty

Abstract

Background: Periorbital volume loss creates a shadow frame, and traditional excisional blepharoplasties may aggravate the situation. Divergence in filling treatments establishes a demand for simple and reproducible techniques to achieve consistent results. Here, the author's hollow upper eyelid evaluation and treatment approach are presented.

Methods: A retrospective photographic analysis was conducted of 32 women who underwent fat grafting for hollow upper eyelids between 2012 and 2016. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations of upper eyelid ratios at the medial and lateral corneal limbus, together with lateral contour modifications, were used to determine the efficacy of the technique to restore youthful proportions and contours.

Results: Preoperative analysis showed 20 eyelids with an inner shadow, or A-pattern; and 44 eyelids with the complete extension of the hollow, or C-pattern. Three patients presented mild blepharoptosis, and eight patients had undergone a previous upper blepharoplasty. Mean grafting volume was 0.4 cc in the deep plane and 2.8 cc in the superficial plane. Fat grafting exclusively was performed in six patients, improving all ratios and correcting the A-pattern deformity. Volumetric upper blepharoplasty combining fat grafting in two levels and orbicularis oculi muscle imbrication was performed in 26 patients, correcting every inverted ratio (p < 0.001). On the lateral view, all cases with a concave pattern changed to a convex one, regardless of the approach used.

Conclusion: Synergy between fat grafting and orbicularis imbrication proved adequate to restore the lateral convex contour and return youthful proportions to the hollow upper eyelids.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.