Modified Z-epicanthoplasty in the Asian eyelid.

OBJECTIVE To propose a new technique for eliminating the medial epicanthal fold of the Asian upper eyelid. DESIGN A retrospective review of the Z-epicanthoplasty and modified Z-epicanthoplasty procedures performed during 1995 through 1999. SETTING Facial plastic surgery private practice. PATIENTS Four hundred seventy-five Korean American patients from 9 midwestern states with type 2 or type 3 medial epicanthal folds. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the East Asian population has type 2 or 3 medial epicanthal folds. Most surgeons avoid epicanthoplasty because of the fear of visible scar formation. Modified Z-epicanthoplasty is a safe and effective technique for eliminating the epicanthal fold during double-eyelid operations. Scarring of the medial canthal area has not been a problem with this technique. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2000;2:43-47