Eyelid reconstruction with acellular human dermal allograft after chemical and thermal burns.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of eyelid reconstruction with acellular dermal allograft in patients with eyelid defect after chemical and thermal burns.


METHODS
Eyelid reconstruction was performed in 15 eyelids of 13 patients during the period of June 2001-October 2004 by a single senior surgeon (Chen). Among them five patients had thermal burns, and eight patients had chemical burns. The acellular dermal allograft was used as a tarsus substitute that was sutured into the place between the levator aponeurosis in upper lid or retractor in lower eyelid and the remaining tarsus.


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up of 9 months, satisfactory function and cosmesis were obtained. No implant rejection or severe complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Acellular dermal allograft may be used safely as a posterior lamellar spacer graft after chemical and thermal burns; the allograft appears to be biocompatible and does not aggravate the inflammation in the injured eyelid.
Jiaqi
Chen
C
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Department of Plastic, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 Xianlienan Road, Guangzhou 510060, PR China.
Zheng
Wang
W
Jianjun
Gu
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000601:surgery*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome