Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty as an alternative periorbital rejuvenation technique during face lift.
Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent face lifts between 2004 and 2007. Postoperative follow-up, complications, aesthetic outcome, and patient satisfaction were recorded. The patients were further divided into four groups for the analysis: lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty with lower blepharoplasty (group 1), lower blepharoplasty without lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty (group 2), lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty without lower blepharoplasty (group 3), and neither lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty nor lower blepharoplasty (group 4).
Results: A total of 76 patients were identified as having had a midface lift with or without lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty in the study period. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had a lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty procedure. Group 3 showed the lowest complication rate followed by group 4, but there were no statistical differences in complication rates among the study groups. The higher aesthetic result and patient satisfaction were obtained by groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.01). Group 2 had the highest complication rate and lowest overall outcomes.
Conclusion: The authors have been able to demonstrate that lateral orbicularis oculi muscle plasty is a safe technique that may be considered a good alternative for periorbital rejuvenation and may help in avoiding lower lid incisions or extensive dissections during face lifting in some cases.