Epicanthoplasty Using Modified Park's Method.

Park, Dae Hwan; Woo, Ji Won; Han, Dong Gil; Ahn, Ki Young

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2000;27(6):641-646.
Published online November 1, 2000.

Epicanthoplasty Using Modified Park's Method.

Dae Hwan Park, Ji Won Woo, Dong Gil Han, Ki Young Ahn

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Taegu-Hyosung. dhpark@cuth.cataegu.ac.kr

Abstract

The creation of a supratarsal fold is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedure in Asia. The presence of epicanthal folds in Asian eyelids is one of their unique features, in combination with the lack of supratasrsal folds. While this represents an element of Oriental beauty in a traditional way, many seek cosmetic improvement in the medial canthal area to eliminate the epicanthal fold. Epicanthoplasty enhances the aesthetic result of the double-lid procedure by lengthening the palpebral fissure, thus producing the image of a larger, open eye. In this paper, we present modified Park's epicanthoplasty based on our experience with 36 cases performed during the past 3 years. Double fold operation with modified Park's epicanthoplasty were performed in 25 cases and modified Park's epicanthoplasty without double fold operation were performed in remaining 11 cases. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 years. The results were satisfactory except 1 case of hypertrophic scar and 3 cases of undercorrection. The advantages of modified Park's epicanthoplasty are simplicity in design and minimal scarring produced in the medial canthal area as compared with complex W-plasty or Z-plasty, which requires multiple incisions and often creates unsightly scarring. Incorporating epicanthoplasty by modified Park's method with or without double-lid procedure gives oriental eyes a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look.

Keywords: Epicanthus; Modified Parks epicanthoplasty