[Axial aponeurotic flap combined with skin graft in the treatment of lower lid ectropion and severe infra-orbital soft tissue depression].
OBJECTIVE
The correction of ectropion of lower lid and severe infra-orbital soft tissue depression is very difficult. Former methods included simple skin graft, tubed graft, transfer of local skin flap and so on. These methods had some disadvantages, such as not enough tissue to fill the depression, too much damage done to the donor area and operation in stages required.


METHODS
After investigation on the anatomy of temporal region, designed the following method. Combined transfer of the galea aponeurotica and temporal fascia was used to repair severe infra-orbital soft tissue depression and ectropion of lower lid in 6 cases.


RESULTS
It was discovered that the combined transfer of the galea aponeurotica and temporal fascia was rich in blood circulation because they received blood supply from parietal branch of superficial temporal artery and could be transferred to a distance as far as 15-18 cm. The skin graft used to cover the fascia usually resulted in good survival. This technique was used in 6 cases with good success.


CONCLUSIONS
This method had some merits such as the tissue flap had good blood supply, little damage done to the donor area, good correction of the severe depression, good appearance following correction, operation done under local anesthesia and completed in one-stage operation.
Hu
Z
Z
Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China 510515.
Luo
J
J
Chen
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004483:Ectropion / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps