Minimally Invasive Eyelid Lift (MINEL): A Skin Preservation Upper Blepharoplasty
Alice Siew Ching Goh, Geng-Yi YongAbstract
Background
Traditional upper blepharoplasty often involves skin excision, which can lead to complications such as hollowing, visible scarring and unnatural result. A tissue-preservation approach may offer quicker recovery and improved cosmetic outcomes.
Objectives
This preliminary report introduces the Minimally Invasive Eyelid Lift (MINEL), a novel tissue-preserving upper blepharoplasty technique that tucks excess skin inward, avoiding skin excision, and evaluates its effectiveness in achieving natural and lasting results.
Methods
We included patients with dermatochalasis and underwent MINEL procedure. The technique involved creating small incisions, tucking the excess skin inwards, and securing it with non-absorbable sutures.
Results
Thirty-seven patients undergoing the MINEL procedure, all reported positive functional and aesthetic outcomes, with 70% very satisfied. The technique effectively reduced redundant skin, preserved natural eyelid creases, and resulted in minimal scarring. The average procedure duration was 33.9 minutes, with rapid recovery and return to activities.
Conclusions
MINEL offers a promising tissue-preserving alternative to traditional upper blepharoplasty, providing natural aesthetic outcomes with minimal scarring and faster recovery. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term results and compare its efficacy including with traditional techniques to validate its role in cosmetic eyelid surgery.