What Are the Risks of Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Surgery with Skin Pinch?

All surgery carries some risk; eyelid surgery included. Whether the incision is made in the skin below the lid/lashes or in the conjunctival trough behind the lid margin, there are certain risks that may include unwanted bleeding, scarring, and even problems associated with loss of vision and/or cornea injuries.  But when patients are carefully selected and prepared for surgery (ie, no aspirin containing products for example, and no physical activity post operatively for awhile) this greatly reduces risks. Blepharoplasty is a very delicately performed procedure, and it is important to discuss details with the surgeon whether this is a facial plastic or plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon.  In most cases, the transconjunctival approach to removal or repositioning of lower eyelid fat ('bags") is a nice procedure, and can be combined with outer skin resurfacing (chemical peels or lasers) at the same time. This can lead to a very refreshed appearance with high patient satisfaction!

The risks of this operation are the same as with any blepharoplasty: the risks of the anesthetic, bleeding, infection, dry or teary eyes, injury to the muscles that move your eyes and injury to the eye itself, up to and including blindness. There are also the aesthetic complications: too much, too little, unevenness, etc.

I have done this operation for at least a half-dozen years and have found it to work well. It is nearly impossible to produce the most common complication of all: ectropion, or pulling down of the lower lid.

This is because the operation leaves untouched virtually all the structures that support the lid against the effects of healing and gravity.

I am a big fan of this operation.

Good luck!

 

There should be almost no risk if you go to an experienced plastic surgeon who has done these for many years.

A photograph would be very helpful to meaningfully answer this question.  The particular risk of the surgery really relate to your precise anatomy.  For example, if your issues are such that a filler service is all you actually need then having unnecessary surgery is a complication.  The skin pinch can sometimes be a skin muscle pinch.  The key really relates to the execution of surgery.  General plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons do offer these procedures as do oculoplastic surgeons.  The trend has been preservation of fat by moving it from the lower eyelid to the top of the cheek, called an arcus marginalis release.  This reduces the risk of making the lower eyelid too hollow by removing excessive lower eyelid fat.

  The risk of this procedure is, IMHO, the same as the risk for any lower lid eyelid surgery.  There is nothing wrong with this recommendation.  But lower eyelid surgery can be tricky.  You may want to see someone who is a nmember of the American Society of Ophthalmis Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for an opinion before proceeding.