title: Medial epicanthoplasty without a vertical scar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epicanthal fold (Mongolian fold) in Asians reduces the aesthetic results of eyelid surgery, and thus, medial epicanthoplasty is commonly performed in combination with a double fold operation or blepharoptosis correction. Epicanthoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic operations conducted in Asia, but scarring is a common problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December of 2006 to July of 2011, we treated 60 cases using our epicanthoplasty method, which was designed to reduce scarring. A double fold operation and blepharoptosis correction was performed along with epicanthoplasty in 54 cases and an epicanthoplasty without a double fold operation in the remaining 6 cases. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 4 years and 10 months. Previously, we used an elliptical excision epicanthoplasty method, which was simple and practical. However, the elliptical excision method leaves a vertical scar on the nasal side of the upper and lower eyelids. To avoid this scar, we placed an additional incision parallel with the ciliary margin of the lower and/or upper eyelids. The results of epicanthoplasty were evaluated by asking the patients and the surgeon involved to allocate visual analog scale scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the exception of 1 case of hypertrophic scarring and 4 cases of undercorrection, patients were satisfied with their results. Mean patient and surgeon visual analog scale scores were 4.6 and 4.2, respectively. The advantages of the described procedure are its simplicity and the minimal scarring caused in the epicanthal area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method could become an effective means of removing the Asian epicanthal fold and minimizing vertical scars.
authors: From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dae Hwan
authors: DH
authors: Park
authors: Sang Uk
authors: SU
authors: Park
authors: Byung Kwon
authors: BK
authors: Lee
authors: Young Bae
authors: YB
authors: Lee
authors: Eon Rok
authors: ER
authors: Do
authors: Dong Gil
authors: DG
authors: Han
authors: Jeong Su
authors: JS
authors: Shim
authors: Yong Jig
authors: YJ
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult