Reducing the subconscious frown by endoscopic resection of the corrugator muscles

Abstract

Certain patients subconsciously frown whenever concentrating or conversing. This hyperactivity of their corrugator muscles gives them an unattractive mean or angry look. Prominent glabellar frown lines eventually result from making this facial expression repeatedly. If such patients undergo an open coronal browlift, their corrugator muscles are resected routinely. However, patients who do not need or want a browlift seldom agree to a coronal incision just for access to their corrugators. To address this problem, the author devised an endoscopic operation to approach and resect the corrugators through three 5-mm hairline incisions. In this initial series, the subconscious tendency to frown when concentrating or conversing was reduced to about 20% of the preoperative level. This resulted in a more pleasant facial appearance.