Long-term comparison of the efficacies of internal and external browpexy combined with blepharoplasty.

[PURPOSE] To perform a long-term comparison of the quantitative efficacy of internal and external browpexy in combination with upper-lid blepharoplasty based on lateral and central eyebrow positions.

[METHODS] This retrospective study evaluated internal and external browpexy with upper-lid blepharoplasty surgeries that were performed during the period between January 2012 and December 2017 in the oculoplastic surgery department of our hospital. Patients who had undergone periorbital and forehead surgery, who had ophthalmologic or neurological diseases, and who were Botox users were not included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were made on photographs taken in the same position. The distances from the pupil center and from the point of intersection between the horizontal line passing through the pupil and the vertical line passing through the lateral canthus to the upper eyebrow borders were measured. Photogrammetric analysis of eyebrow position was analyzed using Corel Draw software.

[RESULTS] Preoperative and postoperative photographs of 70 eyelids were analyzed. Measurements were taken 24 months after surgery. Mean elevations of 2.10 and 3.19 mm were observed in the central region and lateral regions, respectively, in the internal browpexy group. These elevations were 2.66 and 3.03 mm in the external browpexy group and 0.48 and 0.55 mm in the control group. Eyebrow elevations in the central and lateral regions were not significantly different from baseline in the control group (p=0.126 and p=0.25). Internal and external browpexy showed statistically similar elevation values in the central and lateral regions (p=0.636 and p=0.342).

[CONCLUSIONS] External and internal browpexy surgery afforded adequate and similar elevations of the central and lateral brow, which were significantly different from those in the standard blepharoplasty group during long-term follow-up.