Reconstruction of lower eyelid defects using a cross upper eyelid flap composited with ear cartilage.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) most frequently involve the lower eyelid and are treated with total excision. Various techniques have been proposed for reconstruction of the excised eyelid.


OBJECTIVE
Because most flaps used in such techniques are bulky, thinner, and aesthetically more favorable, flaps have been sought recently.


METHODS
Defects of the lower lid have been closed with a combination of cross-flaps and choncal cartilage prepared from the upper eyelid.


RESULTS
Eleven lower lids from 10 patients operated for BCC were reconstructed. All flaps survived. The duration of follow-up was 10 months, and no complications such as relapse, ectropion, or lagophthalmus occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The upper eyelid flap was found to be an appropriate cover for both the skin and the conjunctiva due to its hairless and smooth structure. The outcome in patients followed up for a mean of 10 months was successful, cosmetically and functionally.
Atik
Bekir
B
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yuzuncu Yil University, Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey. drbekiratik@yahoo.com
Tan
Onder
O
Bekerecioglu
Mehmet
M
Cinal
Adnan
A
Tekes
Lutfi
L
D000368:Aged; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004425:Ear Cartilage; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome