Full-Incision Double-Eyelid Blepharoplasty with Selective Sensory Nerve Preservation.

[BACKGROUND] Full-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty can result in upper eyelid skin numbness postoperatively. However, few studies have examined sensory loss after eyelid surgery. We propose a novel surgical approach with selective sensory nerve preservation to prevent postoperative upper eyelid numbness.

[METHODS] We enrolled 90 patients who underwent full-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty with selective sensory nerve preservation from March 2021 to February 2022. Major longitudinal nerves that spread vertically to the palpebral margin under the orbicularis oculi muscle in the medial portion of the upper eyelid were dissected and carefully preserved. Eyelid sensation was measured using a Cochet-Bonnet filament-type esthesiometer at four predetermined anatomical locations in the upper eyelid. The mean esthesiometry reading was calculated at the preoperative and 2-week and final postoperative visits.

[RESULTS] The follow-up duration was 2-4 months (mean, 3 months). The mean esthesiometry readings at the inferonasal location were 5.22 cm (n=170, SD=0.28) preoperatively, 5.21 cm (n=170, SD=0.31) at 2 weeks postoperatively, and 5.22 cm (n=170, SD=0.29) at the final postoperative visits. Sensation was not significantly different between the second visit and the baseline (P=0.014) or between the final visit and the baseline (P=0.158). None of the patients reported a reduction in their subjective eyelid sensation.

[CONCLUSIONS] Full-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty with selective sensory nerve preservation can prevent postoperative upper eyelid numbness while producing reliable and dynamic palpebral creases. The vital nerve branches of the upper eyelid can be preserved, thereby retaining skin sensation near the margin of the eyelid. We propose a novel full-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty technique that incorporates selective sensory nerve preservation to prevent postoperative upper eyelid numbness. Full-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty with selective sensory nerve preservation can prevent postoperative upper eyelid numbness while producing reliable and dynamic palpebral creases. The vital nerve branches of the upper eyelid can be preserved, thereby retaining skin sensation near the margin of the eyelid.

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