Blepharoplasty Markers: Comparison of Ink Drying Time and Ink Spread
Marking of the eyelid is a crucial presurgical step in blepharoplasty. A number of markers are available for this purpose with variable ink characteristics. In this study, we measured the ink drying time and spread width of 13 markers used for preoperative marking for blepharoplasty. Based on the results, we propose markers that may be best suited for use in this procedure.
Resident Pearl
Based on the data presented in this study, blepharoplasty surgeons may choose to use the markers shown to have measurably short drying time and minimal ink spread to maximize efficiency of preincisional lid marking.
Results
Drying time among the 13 total markers (11 FT and 2 ST) ranged from 5 to 70 seconds, with a mean of 20.8 seconds and median of 5 seconds (Table). The drying time for the DERMarker E-Z Removable Ink Mini Skin Marker (Delasco, LLC) with an ST was 5 seconds, while the drying time for the other ST marker, WriteSite Plus Surgical Skin Marker (Aspen Surgical, Inc), was 70 seconds. The FT markers spanned the entire range of drying times. The ink spread width among the markers ranged from 0.53 to 2.27 mm with a median of 0.9 mm and mean of 1.13 mm (Table). The 2 ST markers were found to make some of the widest marks measured, including the WriteSite Plus Surgical Skin Marker, a nonsterile ST marker that created the widest ink marks. The second widest mark was made by an FT marker (Sterile Mini Ultrafine Tip XL Prep Resistant Ink Marker [Viscot Medical, LLC]).
To prioritize short drying time coupled with minimal ink spread width, the values associated with each marker were averaged to arrive at the overall score for each marker. The smaller the overall score, the higher we ranked the marker. The Devon Surgical Skin Marker, Dual Tip (Medtronic) ranked the highest among the 13 markers with a final score of 2.78. Runner-up markers included the Sterile Devon Surgical Skin marker, Fine Tip (Medtronic)(final score, 2.86); the Sterile Dual Tip Skin/Utility Marker (Medline Industries, Inc)(final score, 2.86); and the Skin Marker, Fine Tip (Cardinal Health)(final score, 2.89). The 2 lowest-ranking markers were the WriteSite Plus Surgical Skin Marker, an ST marker (final score, 36.13), followed by the Sterile BlephMarker (Viscot Medical, LLC)(final score, 35.27).
,Figure 2 shows the drying time and ink spread width for all 13 markers.
