Technique for combined blepharoplasty and ptosis correction.

Ptosis is one of the most common involutional changes of the eyelid. It frequently occurs concomitantly with dermatochalasis. The surgeon must be aware of the likelihood of this association when evaluating a patient for blepharoplasty because failure to develop an appropriate surgical plan will lead to an imperfect outcome. Ptosis correction can be undertaken at the same time as upper lid blepharoplasty. The many types of ptosis have a complex underlying anatomy and pathology, however, and the variety of surgical alternatives for ptosis repair are associated with a certain degree of unpredictability. The focus of this discussion is the management of acquired ptosis of aponeurogenic origin, which is most commonly associated with dermatochalasis. A surgeon who is conversant with the underlying anatomy of the ptotic lid and the general guidelines for ptosis repair will be prepared to manage combined dermatochalasis and ptosis.