title: High-frequency radiowave electrosurgery for persistent conjunctival chemosis following cosmetic blepharoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conjunctival chemosis often complicates cosmetic lower eyelid blepharoplasty. With the conventional approaches, including medical or surgical methods, irritative symptoms are produced and complete recovery is delayed. The authors introduced a new simple surgical approach for treating persistent conjunctival chemosis following cosmetic blepharoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients (12 eyes) with persistent chemosis lasting 6 weeks to 2 years were recruited for this study. Subconjunctival coagulation on the edematous conjunctiva was performed with a fine-needle electrode using a high-frequency radiowave electrosurgical unit in coagulation mode, and subconjunctival fluid drainage was performed by gentle pressure with a wet applicator. After the procedures, topical steroid and antibiotic eye drops were given four times per day for 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chemosis in 11 eyes (91.7 percent) was resolved within 1 week and remained stable for a follow-up period of 6 months. Recurrence of chemosis and complications related to the procedure were not noted during the follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A surgical approach with high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery produced a significant reduction of persistent chemosis and provided prompt symptom improvement. This procedure can be considered as a simple and safe method of treating persistent conjunctival chemosis following cosmetic blepharoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.
authors.affiliation: Seoul, Republic of Korea From the Department of Ophthalmology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Seoul Hospital; and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.
authors.forename: Kyung In
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Chul Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult