• markedly less skin disruption
• less trauma to the orbicularis muscle and orbital septum
• more accurate intraoperative assessment of implant volume
• more accurate intraoperative distribution of implanted fat
• ability to add more volume than with a strip fat technique
• less postoperative swelling
• shorter recovery time
• small hidden external scar

Since many patients with upper eyelid hollowness have undergone previous blepharoplasty, minimizing additional trauma to the eyelid's already disturbed external and internal anatomy is clearly desirable.

Because less tissue disruption tends to correlate with reduced postoperative swelling and bruising, conditions are more favorable for successful revascularization and "take" of the grafted fat.

While the small incision approach has become our technique of choice in most patients with upper orbital hollowness, it cannot be applied in all cases. Some patients who have already undergone multiple previous operations, require skin adjustment or reconstruction of the crease, or suffer from very deep hollowness may not be ideal candidates.