title: Malar fat pad elevation: An aid to closure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In closure of defects inferior to the eye, it is important to avoid inducing lower lid ectropion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a new technique for closure of defects inferior and lateral to the eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of malar fat pad elevation to close a post-Mohs surgical defect is described and the procedure is detailed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This technique enabled good wound closure with minimal tension and avoided the complication of ectropion. A transient asymmetry was manifest postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malar fat pad elevation is an effective and elegant means of closing defects inferior and lateral to the eye. This technique minimizes extensive tissue undermining and movement with its consequences of postoperative tissue swelling, bruising, and hematoma formation. The side effect of ectropion is prevented.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huilgol
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carruthers
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Selva
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D004483:Ectropion / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome