Medial Epicanthoplasty

Medial Epicanthoplasty

To make your eyes bigger
Larger, balanced enlargement of the eyes laterally

Who is medial epicanthoplasty suitable for?

  1. For those who wish to enlarge their eyes inwardly.
  2. For those who want to make their eyes look less far apart.
  3. For those who want to change their impression from juvenile to mature.

An explanation of medial epicanthoplasty.

Medial epicanthoplasty is a surgery to adjust the shape of the eye by reducing the Mongolian fold.This is an effective surgery for enlarging the eyes in the medial direction.

Medial epicanthoplasty may also be used to change the shape or direction of the Mongolian fold according to one’s liking.
At Primo Azabujuban Clinic, we perform medial epicanthoplasty using Z-plasty.The scarring is minimal and the result looks natural.If you ever want to return your eyes to how they were before medial epicanthoplasty, this is a procedure that can almost always be performed.

Because of the large amount of excess skin called the Mongolian fold, the distance between the eyes is long and the eyes appear to be far apart.
These folds disturb the shape of the ideal double eyelid line.They cause the width of the eyes to appear smaller which is sometimes referred to as a hard look.
There is also a functional problem of the inside lashes touching the eyes.
To improve these symptoms medial epicanthoplasty -where the Mongolian fold is removed- is effective.
This surgery increases the width of the eyes and at the same time narrows the distance between the eyes, improving the balance and harmony of the eye area.This surgery is suitable for those who wish for the parallel double eyelid line.

Features of our medial epicanthoplasty

  • We use two different methods depending on whether you want to have parallel double eyelids or just reduce the folds.
  • For local anesthesia, we use 34G ultra-fine needles (needle thickness 0.2mm) to minimize pain.
  • Surface anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia are used for those who are afraid of even the slightest pain.
  • The day after surgery, you can shower, wash your face, and apply makeup except for on your eyelids.
  • Skin sutures can be removed early on the fourth or fifth day. Because we use the buried suture method with 7-0 ultra-fine absorbable thread (plastic surgical sutures).Scarring will be minimal.
  • Skin suturing with transparent thread is also available.
  • You can apply makeup to your eyelids the day after your stitches are removed.

Medial epicanthoplasty explained

Our medial epicanthoplasty uses Z-plasty.
We use two types of Z-plasty: simple Z-plasty and Dr. Park’s Z-plasty.

Simple Z-plasty

Simple Z-plasty does not involve skin excision, so scarring is minimal and swelling subsides quickly and easily.The greatest advantage, in the unlikely event that the post-operative form is not to your liking, it is easy to return to the pre-operative image.
In both methods, the scar is inconspicuous.
Incision measurements are taken to the nearest 0.1 mm.The skin flaps are repositioned, and as little as necessary fibrous tissue under the skin is carefully removed.After suturing with absorbable thread, the skin is stitched with 8-0 nylon, a very fine thread.The scar will be almost invisible because it will be hidden by the edge of the eye.
We use the best sutures for wound healing, internal sutures with high-performance absorbable ultra-fine thread, and external sutures with non-absorbable ultra-fine thread.
We also offer skin suturing with ultra-fine transparent thread.

Park Method

Park method involves the excision of excess skin along with skin replacement by Z-plasty.
It is useful for widening the inner width of the double eyelid, clearing excess skin on the lash side, or creating a parallel double eyelid.

Videos of medial epicanthoplasty

Aftercare for medial epicanthoplasty

《After surgery》

Condition of the affected area

The eye incision is sutured with a very fine black thread.The stitches are usually removed in 4-7 days.
It won’t be possible to see the final outcome at first due to swelling of the wound.
Bruising may occur around the eye.Any bruising will usually disappear in 1-2 weeks.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by the doctor just before you go home on the day of surgery.
Antibiotics, painkillers (the pain is usually mild, but we prescribe them just in case), and gastric medicine will be prescribed for 3 days after surgery.

Lifestyle advice

You can wash your hair and take a shower on the same day after surgery.
Please only wash your face with water, not soap.You can use soap or facial cleansing foam from the next day onwards.However, please do not rub the wound.If the thread gets stuck or it tears, it may bleed.Please do not pick the scab or any other part of the wound, and try to rest.
Please do not apply any cosmetics to the affected area until the stitches are removed.
Please refrain from taking a bath or doing any strenuous exercise for about a week.
Make-up can be applied from the day of surgery except around the eyes.
When sleeping, please use cushions to elevate your upper body and head.
Please refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking for about a week.
Contact lenses can be worn from the day after surgery if there is no discomfort.They certainly can’t be worn 2-3 hours after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia.

《Days 4-7 after surgery》【Book an appointment for stitches removal】

Condition of the affected area

The swelling will go down in a week or two.Things will completely settle down in about 6 months.
Initially, the scar will be red.The redness varies from person to person, but it will subside in about 1-2 months.
In rare cases, there may be a slight bump, due to edema.
In rare cases, the suture thread may come out.
Bruising may occur around the eye.The bruising will disappear in 1-2 weeks.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor.
Your stitches will be removed.

Lifestyle advice

Skin lotion and creams can be applied after stitches removal
Eye makeup is also OK, once the stitches are removed.
Please avoid rubbing the eye area too much.
From the 7th day after the day of surgery, you will be able to bathe and exercise as usual.
After removal of stitches, please keep the scar moisturized and UV protected.Our wound cream (1,100 yen inc. tax) can be applied to make the wound less prominent.

《1-3 months after surgery》【 It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time.】

Condition of the affected area

The wound will gradually heal completely, but there will be some swelling for a while.
The redness and elevation of the scars will vary from person to person, but this will settle down in 1-2 months.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

Please continue to moisturize and UV-care your scars.

《6 months after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time.】

Condition of the affected area

The wound has almost fully healed.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

You can resume all of your daily activities.

FAQ

Questions answered about medial epicanthoplasty.
Click on each question to see the answer.

Will the scars be noticeable?

For 1-3 months after surgery, there will be some redness and stiffness. Redness can be concealed with make up.
Our method is based on Z-plasty, which replaces the skin without tension and uses absorbable thread (6-0 PDS) for plastic surgical sutures, resulting in a very clean post-operative scar.
If you have persistent redness, we will provide appropriate treatment at the post-operative checkup (free of charge).

When can I wear makeup again after surgery?

Makeup can be applied on the day of surgery except for the surgical site.
The stitches are usually removed 4-5 days after surgery.The day after the stitches are removed, you can apply makeup to your eyelids.

Please give an explanation of the advantages of medial epicanthoplasty using Z-plasty.

The advantage of medial epicanthoplasty using Z-plasty is that the skin is not excised, and the skin is shifted three-dimensionally to release the Mongolian fold, so there is no tension on the skin suture and the scar is very clean.
The degree of morphological change obtained is also adjustable, resulting in a very natural-looking form.
In the unlikely event that the patient wants to return to the original form after surgery, this can be done by repositioning the skin.

I only need a small change, is fine-tuning possible?

The good thing about Z-plasty is that it offers a high degree of freedom in design, which can be used to either fully open the eye socket to maximize the eye, or only subtly reduce the Mongolian fold to the extent that it does not significantly change the impression of the face.
It can respond well to subtle changes.

How long will swelling last after surgery?

The swelling will mostly dissipate in about a week for medial epicanthoplasty.

How do you manage pain during surgery?

Post-operative pain is usually very mild.We will prescribe a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs just in case.

How long will surgery last?

It will last 30-40 minutes.

How do you manage pain during surgery?

Pain will be minimal, because our local anesthetic contains extra agents to reduce any discomfort.
To minimize injection pain, the amount of anesthetic used is kept to a minimum of 1-1.5 cc for both eyelids.
Pain is also minimized by using an ultra-fine 34G needle, as well as a new needle for each eyelid.The local anesthetic is administered very slowly which minimizes pain.
For those who are still afraid of pain, we offer general anesthesia.
Under general anesthesia, you will be comfortably unconscious and breathing as usual.

Fees

Medial Epicanthoplasty ¥275,000

All fees displayed include tax.

Post-operative course, downtime, risks, side effects, and complications

Underneath is a list of things that may occur.
In order to prevent any of these symptoms from occurring, we take safety measures and perform treatment with the utmost care.
We also have a solution for any symptoms should they occur.We will always improve your symptoms.

Post-operative course and downtime

Swelling

Major swelling will go down in 2-4 days after surgery.
Mild swelling may be noticeable for a week or two.
Things will completely settle down in about 6 months.

Bruising around the eye.

There may be bruising around the eye.It sometimes occurs, but it will disappear in a week or two.

Eyelid discomfort

Immediately after medial epicanthoplasty, the eyelids will feel strange.
This will disappear over time.

Scars

You will see some redness for 1-2 months after surgery.It will become less noticeable over time.

Risks, side effects, and complications

Exposure of buried absorbable sutures

We will remove the stitches.

Infection

Although rare, there is risk of infection with any surgery.
If infection occurs, it may be necessary to treat it with antibiotics or remove any pus by small incisional drainage.

Too much or too little of the Mongolian fold remaining

Adjustments can be made by another medial epicanthoplasty or reconstructing the epicanthos with revision medial epicanthoplasty.

Changes in eyelid morphology

The Mongolian folds are reduced or eliminated, giving a more mature look.
The distance between the eyes narrows.The eyes are enlarged laterally.The impression of the face changes.

Click here for all other eye area surgeries.

Eye surgery list

Detailed information on each eye surgery procedure, including case photos, case progress photos, procedure duration, post-operative course, downtime, aftercare, risks, side effects, and complications.

Click here for all other eye area surgeries.

Eye surgery list

Detailed information on each eye surgery procedure, including case photos, case progress photos, procedure duration, post-operative course, downtime, aftercare, risks, side effects, and complications.

Supervising Doctor

Under the supervision of our plastic surgeons, we operate our website in accordance with medical advertising guidelines.

NORIHIRO OHBA M.D. Ph.D.
HEAD DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR

Qualifications and Academic Affiliations

Doctor of Medicine
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery
Anesthesiologist certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Member of International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
International Member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of Japan Society of Cranio-Maxillo Facial Surgery
Member of Japan Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine

Career

Graduated from Osaka City University Faculty of Medicine, 1996
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1996-1999
Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1999-2003
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Sano Memorial Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(part-time)
Daito Central Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(part-time)
Ritz Cosmetic Surgery Tokyo Clinic, 2005-2008
Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2009~
Head Director, Primo Medical Corporation, 2011~
Head Director/Director, Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2020~