Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty With Volume Preservation Using the Skin Flap.

Lower blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgeries and can be approached through many different techniques to improve perceived aging and fatigue due to prominent eyelid fat pads, deep tear troughs, loose eyelid skin, and global periorbital deflation. The technique discussed herein is a personal approach to lower eyelid rejuvenation surgery by the senior author, focusing on volume preservation with conservative resection and transposition of lower eyelid fat pads, muscle preservation, and microfat grafting. The authors discuss a series of 80 patients with case examples and a technique video.

Program Director Survey of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowships in the United States: Current State-of-the-Art.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetic surgery is a core component of plastic and reconstructive surgery. In 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education established aesthetic surgery minimums for plastic surgery residents in training. Although many plastic surgery graduates successfully enter practice as an attending plastic surgeon after completion of plastic surgery training, others choose subspecialization. Aesthetic surgery fellowships offer further instruction in surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures in addition to a unique opportunity for mentorship. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery currently endorses 25 aesthetic fellowships. However, the literature regarding fellowship specifics is lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to better define the current aesthetic surgery fellowships programs regarding operative experience, fellowship autonomy, program strengths, didactic learning, research experience/opportunities, compensation, and geographic region. METHODS: This study was performed by Emory University, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia. In February 2019, an anonymous survey was sent via e-mail to all American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery-endorsed aesthetic fellowship program directors. Three weeks later, a reminder e-mail was sent. No incentives were provided for survey completion. RESULTS: A 40% survey response rate was achieved (10/25). Aesthetic surgery fellowships are diverse in exposure, number of procedures, and training environment. In all programs, the fellow functioned as the first assistant in most cases. The percentages of face, breast, and total body procedures varied greatly among fellowships, as well as fellow involvement in critical portions of a case. Nearly all fellowships (9/10) offered a fellow's clinic. Didactic learning and research are components of all programs. CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of the current state of plastic surgery aesthetic fellowships in the United States, serving as the first of its kind.

Dynamic diagnosis of "fishmouthing" syndrome, an overlooked complication of blepharoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction and/or dehiscence of the lateral canthus is 1 source of symptomatic eyelid closure disorder after blepharoplasty. Because the resulting concentric blinking movement resembles mouth closure in a fish, the name "fishmouthing" syndrome (FS) was given to this condition. Fishmouthing syndrome appears to be an overlooked complication of blepharoplasty. OBJECTIVES: The authors performed dynamic assessments of patients who had eyelid discomfort after blepharoplasty to establish the clinical signs of FS. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative videos of 36 patients who presented for secondary blepharoplasty were analyzed retrospectively. All 36 patients experienced symptoms of dry eyes and eye discomfort after their initial blepharoplasty and desired symptomatic and cosmetic improvement. The dynamic signs and diagnostic criteria for FS were established clinically and through video analysis of patients' blinking movements. RESULTS: The most common clinical characteristics of FS included lash deformity ("cow lash" sign), abnormal medial displacement of the lateral canthus during blinking, deformity (rounding/narrowing) of the lateral scleral triangle, and visible eyelid closure deficiency or gapping. Other characteristics were lower-lid retraction and compensatory hypercontraction of the orbicularis oculi adjacent to the inner canthus. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FS present with a combination of clinical symptoms and signs and are best diagnosed through dynamic visualization of the animated tissue during blinking. Evaluation of preoperative videos is an essential tool for surgical planning and for analyzing the results, both before and after corrective surgery, in patients with potential FS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.