What Is The Best Way To Improve My Forehead/Facial Asymmetry?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 35 year-old male born with a significant facial asymmetry. I have a prominent left sided zygomatic prominence, a left ptosis and a slightly recessed left sided forehead. I also have prominent inverted-U shaped supra-orbital bossing, which divides my forehead into two, and cast unaesthetic shadows especially when I stand under light. I do understand that there are limitations to what could be corrected but I will like to explore what can be corrected. My surgical objectives would be; 1) repair of left ptosis, 2) reduction/shaving of the zygomatic prominence, 3) zygoma fossa augmentation and 4) 

forehead contouring with burring/infracture of supra-orbital bossing +/- forehead augmentation. I have attached images for your review. I have also used a plastic surgery simulator to put my desire in a picture form. I would appreciate your review and consult.

A: I have taken a careful look at your pictures, including the simulations, as well as your goals and can make the following comments.

  1. The width of the zygomatic body/arch can be narrowed by an anterior and posterior osteotomies. (infracture method)
  2. The prominent brow bones could be reduced by osteotomy/infracture method. (brow bone reduction)
  3. #1 and #2 could be done through a coronal incisional approach. Since #2 mandates that this be used, #1 would take advantage of that approach also.
  4. You are showing a high temporal augmentation in the superior temporal zone. I believe you are incorrectly calling this area the zygoma fossa which I think you mean temporal fossa. This area could be augmented through the same incisional approach as #1 and #2. This would require an onlay augmentation using PMMA given the quantity of material needed as well as the size of the surface area.
  5. To optimally smooth out the forehead above the brow bones, some augmentation would need to be done as well above the brow bone infractured area.
  6. Your left upper eyelid ptosis appears to be in the 1mm to 2mm range which could be treated by an internal Mueller’s muscle resection.
  7. I also noticed that you have performed rhinoplasty for narrowing of your nose and lower lip reduction as well.

As you can see in the above description, the key to most of your desired changes is the need for a scalp or coronal incision to do them.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana