[The retro-orbicularis oculus fat (ROOF) or Charpy's fat pad. Descriptive and functional anatomy. Surgical concepts applied to the design of a frontotemporal lift procedure]. / Le coussinet adipeux de Charpy. Anatomie descriptive et fonctionnelle. Applications aux nouveaux liftings.

ABSTRACT

The eyebrow fat pad, or retro-orbicularis oculus fat (ROOF) is a syssarcosis, described as an anatomic and functional unity by M. Charpy in 1909. Our anatomic study on 12 (24 half-head) fresh cadaver specimens confirm anatomic variations, mainly according to age and sex. Synthesis of recent literature shows the renewed interest for this fat pad and its involvement in the eye's lateral flare. We will describe its detailed ultrastructure and the physiopathological mechanisms of aging, causing an earlier lateral eyebrow ptosis. So we can evolve new anatomic concepts applied to recent facial rejuvenative procedures, particularly frontotemporal facelifts (endoscopic or classical procedures), by a harmonious repositioning of the eyebrow and in order to restore the lateral flare of the eye.