Why don't more doctors perform bladeless radio surgery on the Eyelids?

Question

I am going to have an upper eyelid blepharoplasty with Dr.Darab Hormozi in Baltimore. I did not find any other PS practicing this technique (closer to where I live). The length, comfort, and results of actual procedure and recovery time seem to beat all existing methods of upper/lower eye lids surgeries. Why nobody else does it using radio waves. Most use laser. Scalpel surgery seem to be a stone age technique.

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

You, the patient, should do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.  Personally, after almost 30 years of practice and thousands of eyelid procedures,  I do not believe that the surgeon's choice of radio frequency, laser, or scalpel, makes any difference whatsover.  IMHO, it is all hype and marketing.  And yes, I have performed numerous procedures with all three methods you mentioned.  In fact, a recent conference I attended had two consecutive lectures about eyelid surgery.  The first was a talk which I had already heard countless times, and extolled the benefit of CO2 laser to make the incisions.  This talk was given by a doctor who made a name for himself promoting the CO2 laser for eyelid surgery.   The second was a double blind study comparing the results of the laser to those achieved a scalpel,   In the second study, the doctors reviewing the photos could not tell which side was done with either modality and concluded that there actually was no difference to support the use of the laser.  Obviously, whatever will get the patient to bite is what many doctors will promote but IMHO, there is no benefit whatsoever from radiofrequency or from laser, only increased costs.    Also, you likely would be far better off if you chose an eyelid surgeon over a general PS as they have far greater experience in these procedures.  And finally, you likely would also be better off choosing a doctor who is near to you in the unlikely event that you might develop a problem.  I wish you the best of luck with your procedure.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You have been taken in by the gravitational pull of slick marketing.  The radio frequency surgery has some advantages in certain applications.  However, the claims for the advantages are overstated by companies marketing these devices.  I personally do not care for the tissue feel of the devices I have used.  Lasers as cutting instruments for eyelid surgery are all about marketing hype.  They actually have profound negative downsides.  One of the biggest as far as I am concerned is the thermal injury created when the skin is cut by the laser.  This requires sutures to be left in place twice as long as normal and this can cause suture marks on the skin as a result.  When there is minimal adoption of a technology by the surgery community, you should listen to the collective wisdom.  The most important aspect of eyelid surgery is a very precise design and execution of the blepharoplasty by a highly experienced surgeon who has taken the time to extensively speak to you about your goals and has performed a very detailed examination. Congratulations on deciding to move forward with surgery.  Please let us know how it goes.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

"Bladeless Radiosurgery" sounds much more like a marketing term than a technique that is statistically proven to be superior to Blepharoplasty using a Bard Parker 15 blade (which works rather well).  If it really was a superior technique, you would see every Facial Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, and Occuloplastic Surgeon in the greater DC/Baltimore area using it.  I doubt if you will find many Surgeons who agree that the scalpel belongs in the stone age!

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

it usually means that the vast majority of others have found that its of no benefit or the results cannot be reproduced.  The advertising will push the 'advantages' but in reality. there really are none.  But if you like the surgeon, then by all means go with him and he will do his best for you, regardless of how the tissue is 'cut'.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Eyelid surgery can be performed with knife, scissors, radio frequency, cautery, or a laser light beam. What is  more important is to what is performed during the blepharoplasty procedure, not how you cut tissue. There is no advantages to radio frequency .

Why don't more doctors perform bladeless radio surgery on the Eyelids?

Answers (10)

Answer: When only a few do a special technique

Answer: When only a few do a special technique

Answer: Eyelid surgery

Answer: Eyelid surgery

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Why don't more doctors perform bladeless radio surgery on the Eyelids?

Answers (10)

Answer: When only a few do a special technique

Answer: When only a few do a special technique

Answer: Eyelid surgery

Answer: Eyelid surgery

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.