Association between the COVID-19 pandemic and granuloma formation following lower blepharoplasty

We hypothesize that lower blepharoplasty post-operative granuloma formation increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retrospective consecutive case series of first-time lower blepharoplasties performed at an academic private practice. Odds ratios of post-operative granuloma formation before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using a logistic regression model controlling for age, gender, and surgical approach. 547 subjects underwent lower blepharoplasty between 2018 and 2023. Their average age was 64.6 (±10.3) years, 73 % were women. 222 (40.6 %) subjects underwent lower blepharoplasty by transconjunctival surgical approach with 290 (53.0 %) by transcutaneous approach. The odds of developing post-operative granuloma during the pandemic period were 2.188 (95 % CI 1.061, 4.513, p = 0.03) times higher than prior to the lockdown period. Increased age was associated with higher odds of post-operative granuloma formation: OR 1.085 (95 % CI 1.05, 1.122, p