Epicanthoplasty with double eyelidplasty incorporating modified Z-plasty for Chinese patients

SummaryBackgroundBlepharoplasty, without correction of the epicanthal folds, weakens the aesthetic appearance of the results. Hence, a modified Z-plasty procedure with double eyelidplasty was carried out for different degrees of epicanthus.MethodsFrom 2005 to 2010, the authors performed epicanthoplasties using the modified Z-plasty and double eyelidplasty for 322 Chinese patients. The conventional double eyelidplasty incisions were made with conterminous modified ‘Z’ formation on the medial canthus as well as cutting off the malpositioned superficial head of preseptal musculus orbicularis oculi.ResultsEpicanthoplasty, using this technique, showed good results in most cases. There were no recurrences of the epicanthal fold and the scars were inconspicuous.ConclusionThe modified ‘Z’ plasty is indicated for all types and degrees of medial epicanthi, except epicanthus inversus. The easy design and operation, and the excellent and reproducible results satisfy both the plastic surgeons and the Chinese patients.