2.3 Endoscopic Brow Lift

24

2 Pearls in Cosmetic Oculofacial Plastic Surgery

Scalp:

Hair Density

Length of Forehead

CM

Forehead:

Brow Ptosis

0 1 2 3 4

Forehead Rhytids:

0 1 2 3 4

Glabella Rhytids

0 1 2 3 4

Solar Damage:

0 1 2 3 4

Bony Contour:

Normal

Abnormal

EYELIDS:

Ptosis:

None

OD

OS

PF

LF

Lower Eyelids:

MRD1

Responds to Neosynephrine

Laxity:

None

OD _____

OS _____

Retraction:

None

OD _____ mm

OS_____mm

Fat Herniation:

None

OD 1 2 3 4

OS 1 2 3 4

Orbicularis Strength:

Upper Eyelid:

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

Lower Eyelid

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

Periorbital Rhytids:

Static:

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

Dynamic:

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

EYELID cont.

Skin Excess:

Upper

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

Lower

OD 0 1 2 3 4

OS 0 1 2 3 4

Other:

Ectropion

Entropion

Lesions:

Many facial surgical procedures can be performed under

local anesthesia. The endoscopic brow lift, however, is

2

typically performed with intravenous sedation due to the

difficulty in anesthetizing the glabella region.

(a)

Avoid Bleeding: Use 50–100 ml of tumescent anes-

thesia [24] to balloon up the scalp and forehead tis-

sues. This compresses the blood vessels, separates out

the layers, and reduces the chances of bleeding and

nerve damage. The anesthetic is placed in a ring pat-

tern starting from just above the ears, across the coro-

nal line, and across the brows.

(b)

Tractional Nerve Pain: As the brow is released and

Fig. 2.4 T his patient has significant dermatochalasis, eyelid

elevated, there is traction on the sensory nerves. The

ptosis, and brow ptosis. The brow ptosis can be overlooked since

traction extends to the posterior orbit, and the patient

the patient reflexively raises his eyebrows to pull the skin out of

will feel pain and will be quite uncomfortable. To

his visual axis. Note the deep wrinkles of his forehead. The hori-

avoid the pain, perform supraorbital, supratrochlear,

zontal lines are due to frontalis contraction. The vertical lines are

zygomaticotemporal, and zygomaticofacial nerve

sleep lines. These lines form when a pillow pushes his forehead

blocks with Septocaine® or Marcaine®. Extend the

tissues medially when sleeping face down

supraorbital block into the anterior, superior orbit.

(c)

Decrease the Amount of Sedatives: Have the anesthe-

siologist sedate the patient with propofol and then

add 20–30 mg ketamine IV [2]. The ketamine will act

synergistically with the propofol and allow the anes-

thesiologist to use less sedative. Giving the propofol

first will reduce the potential ketamine side effect of

bad dreams.

2.3.3 Endoscopic Browlift Surgical

Procedure Pearls

(a)

Vertical Incisions: Make all the incisions vertical and

not horizontal. Vertical incisions, unlike horizontal

ones, are almost never visible [19] (Fig. 2.6).

(b)

Lacrimal Retractors: Use a lacrimal retractor to keep

the incisions open. The retractors will compress the

edge of the incisions, thereby reducing the bleeding.

Fig. 2.5 Deflation of the sub-brow fat pad (ROOF) contributes

The retractors make it easy to insert the endoscope

to the aging appearance of the brow. Reinflation of this region

and prevent blood from getting on the lens (Fig. 2.7).

restores the more youthful three-dimensional contour of the

(c)

Blind Dissection: 90% of the surgery can be per-

eyebrow

formed without the use of an endoscope. Blind, sub-

periosteal dissection can be performed centrally until

This procedure can achieve elevation of the eyebrows and

2 cm above the brow. Laterally, dissection along the

reduction of forehead furrows and glabellar folds. The

deep temporalis fascia can be performed easily with

aesthetic success of the endoscopic approach is similar to

just headlight illumination.

a coronal lift without the need for a large incision.

(d)

Periosteal Elevators: A suction elevator with a “lip-

Pearls of the endoscopic lift are separated into three

down” configuration is an excellent tool to dissect

sections: anesthesia, surgical procedure, and postopera-

along the deep temporalis fascia and for the blind

tive care.

subperiosteal dissection (Fig. 2.8).