The Histopathological Findings of Patients Who Underwent Blepharoplasty Due to Dermatochalasis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess changes in lymphatic vessels, collagen, and elastic fiber structure in excised tissues with dermatochalasis (DC). Methods: In this prospective histopathological study, 70 upper eyelid skins of 35 patients operated on for dermatochalasis were compared with 10 eyelid skins of 10 patients operated on for other diagnoses. In histopathological examination, the two groups of patients were compared with respect to number of lymphatic vessels, largest lymphatic vessel diameter, number of elastic fibers, number of macrophages, edema between collagen fibers, and depth of stromal collagen bed. Results: As compared to the control group, the study group had a significantly greater number of dilated lymphatic vessels (p = 0.0001), largest lymphatic vessel diameter (p = 0.02), depth of stromal collagen bed (p = 0.0001), edema space between collagen fibers (p = 0.0001), elastic fiber density (p = 0.0001), and number of macrophages (p = 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, in addition to an increase in the diameter and number of lymphatic vessels, a reduction in elastic fibers that are essential for the structure and function of lymphatic system, disarrangement in collagen fibers, stromal edema, and increased number of macrophages play a role in the development of dermatochalasis.

Keywords:

• Blepharoplasty
• dermatochalasis
• histopathology

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was developed by Ali Karnaz,Yasemin Aslan Katircioglu, and Firdevs Ornek. Evin Singar Ozdemir participated in the concept, design, and interpretation of the manuscript. Eyelid samples were histopathologically evaluated by Pınar Celebli and Sema Hucumenoglu. All of the listed authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the article as submitted.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.