Plastic Surgery

Canthopexy

Information about Canthopexy

Canthopexy is generally used to raise the corners of the eyelids when people consider their eyes to be too rounded. When the lower eyelid is too lax, canthopexy can also be used for tightening it. After this surgery you will forget about that sad expression on your face and you will get brighten up your look.

The Procedure

Many techniques can be used when a canthopexy is performed. The surgeon must choose which technique will be best for each particular case. All the techniques are similar to the one described below. In the first step the surgeon will have to make an incision of about 0.4 inches (1 cm) long on the upper eyelid, following the line of the horizontal folds that form naturally in that area. Doing it this way, the folds will conceal the resulting scar. The canthopexy can also be performed together with a blepharoplasty, in this case, the same incision is used for both procedures.

After that, the surgeon will reach the canthal tendon, the one that holds the edge of the lower eyelid. He will tighten and fix it to the membrane that covers the orbital rim (periosteum). Finally the surgeon will suture the incision.

It may happen that the edge of the lower eyelid has too much excess skin, in that case, the surgeon will have to cut a small portion of skin near the corner of the eye, remove it and join the remaining ends in order to tighten it even more.

Hospitalization: There is no hospitalization; it is done on an outpatient basis.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia and complementary sedation.
Surgery length: Between one and three hours, according to the complexity of the case.

After the surgery

Canthopexy scars will heal very quickly and after a few months they may become almost invisible. In just two or six weeks, the results of the canthopexy on your look will be evident. Your look will be more stylized, permanently.

What are the possible side-effects and complications?

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although this operation doesn’t have practically any type of side-effects some of the risks and potential complications that can occur are infection, fluid accumulation, changes in skin sensation, skin discoloration and/or swelling, etc

What can be expected from a Canthopexy?

• It raises the external corners of the eyes when they are sagging and eliminates the tired and sad appearance of the look.
• It tightens lax lower eyelids (hypotonic).
• It models rounded eyes.
• It prevents the 'bulging eye' effect that may develop after a blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids in patients that suffer from myopia,
• Corrects the asymmetry produced by a facial paralysis.
• It can be an ideal complement of blepharoplasty, the same incisions can be used for refreshing and rejuvenating the look.

What can not be expected from a Canthopexy?

You can not expect from Canthopexy to reduce crow's feet.

Last Update: 08/19/2009
Note: This information is directed to support and not to replace your doctor opinion.