Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Malar Mounds and Festoons.

BACKGROUND: Malar mounds (congenital) and festoons (acquired) are persistent puffiness in the prezygomatic space between the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL) and zygomatico-cutaneous ligament (ZCL). Non-surgical treatments often yield unsatisfactory results. This paper aims to demonstrate a surgical approach for the treatment of malar bags by outlining the author's surgical technique of treating malar mounds and festoons and reviewing outcomes in 89 cases. METHODS: Correction of malar mounds and festoons was achieved with subciliary skin-muscle flap, release of the ORL and ZCL, midface lift, canthopexy, and muscle suspension. We performed a retrospective study of 89 patients, all of whom had surgical correction of malar mounds or festoons in the past 10 years and a follow-up period of at least 6 months. This study was conducted over the course of the past year and involved reviewing patient charts in the office. Specifically, patient data spanning 2012 to 2022 were analyzed. The predictor variable in this study is the specific class of malar bags the patient has, as determined by the underlying pathophysiology. Outcome variables include the presence or absence of prolonged lid or malar edema, necessary re-excision of excess orbicularis oculi of the subciliary area, lid malposition, permanent visual changes, the need for additional non-operative treatment, and recurrence requiring reoperation. RESULTS: The majority of patients presented with acquired festoons (81/89) with prior attempts of correction (49/89). The mean follow-up is 11.2 months. Persistent malar edema (> 6 weeks) was documented in 14 patients and mainly resolved with Medrol Dosepak (methylprednisolone) and hydrochlorothiazide. A two-proportion Z-test was conducted, comparing the proportion of patients with poor protoplasm who experienced postoperative malar edema to the proportion of those with excellent protoplasm who experienced postoperative malar edema. A p-value of 3.414e-7 was obtained, indicating a statistically significant difference of proportions between the two groups. Five patients received additional injections of deoxycholic acid and two needed fillers for smoother contour of the lower eyelids. Two patients with severe malar mounds required multiple reoperations including direct excision in one patient. One incidence of transient lid retraction was reported in a patient with previous facelift and facial nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Malar mounds and festoons present a unique challenge to plastic surgeons. They are persistent in nature and require close-interval, long-term follow-up as additional injections and reoperations are warranted. Our approach to malar mound and festoon correction is safe and effective and provides long-lasting results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[Treatment of malar mounds by direct excision]. / Traitement des poches malaires par résection cutanée directe.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of malar mounds is challenging. We report a case series of direct excision of malar mounds and review the existing literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia with light sedation. A pinch test allows to estimate the width of the resection. The skin is resected, and if needed, some of the sub-orbicularis oculi fat. The orbicularis muscle is not closed, and the skin is closed in two layers. RESULTS: Eight patients were treated by the same surgeon between January and December 2013. The ages ranged from 41 to 74, with an average of 53. The patients were highly satisfied. The results were considered excellent for 5 patients and good for 3. There were no complications, in particular no scleral show, no ectropion, and no hematoma. CONCLUSION: Direct excision of malar mounds is simple, efficient, and reproducible. The scars are most often inconspicuous, in particular in the elderly.

Malar mounds and festoons: review of current management.

Blepharoplasty, the most common aesthetic eyelid procedure, sometimes involves a challenging patient subgroup: those who present with malar edema, malar bags, and festoons. In this review article, the authors describe the relevant anatomy in festoon development, discuss the pathophysiological basis of this condition spectrum, outline clinical examination basics, summarize various surgical approaches for treatment and propose an algorithm for their application, and describe the most common postsurgical complications.

Treatment Options for Lower Eyelid Festoons.

Festoons represent a combination of fluid accumulation and soft tissue laxity in the superolateral cheek. They remain a difficult entity to treat. The ideal treatment for festoons would possess minimal invasiveness and recovery time, and predictably improve the condition. No nonsurgical treatment currently meets these criteria, and surgical treatments have significant limitations. Fortunately, a variety of treatment options exist that can benefit each patient and be tailored to their specific needs. Knowledge of the underlying anatomy, clinical characteristics, and clinical evaluation will better equip the treating physician to manage festoons.