Modified Hughes flap: division at 7 days.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of early division of the tarsoconjunctival pedicle of a modified Hughes flap at 1 week after the primary operation.


METHODS
Noncomparative, interventional, prospective case series.


METHODS
Twenty-nine eyelids of 29 consecutive patients operated using the modified Hughes flap and full-thickness skin graft for lower eyelid reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery, over a 4-year period.


METHODS
In all patients, the pedicle of the Hughes flap was divided 1 week after the primary operation.


METHODS
Postoperative lower eyelid flap viability and lower eyelid contour complications.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine eyelids of 29 patients (mean age: 69+/-11 years) were operated using the modified Hughes flap. The mean follow-up period was 14+/-6 months (range: 6-23). There were no cases of lower eyelid retraction, flap ischemia, or necrosis after division. Postoperative complications included lower eyelid margin erythema in 2 patients (6.9%), upper eyelid lash ptosis in 3 patients (10.3%), and upper eyelid lateral retraction in 1 patient (3.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Early division of the tarsoconjunctival pedicle of a modified Hughes flap at 1 week does not compromise the viability of the reconstructed lower eyelid and results in a good functional and cosmetic outcome.
Leibovitch
Igal
I
Oculoplastic & Orbital Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Selva
Dinesh
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome