Total lower eyelid reconstruction with a prefabricated flap using auricular cartilage.
BACKGROUND
Various methods have been reported for reconstructing the lower eyelid, but there is still the problem of creating a deep fornix and a supportive eyelid for housing an artificial eye.


METHODS
A new prefabricated flap was developed using auricular cartilage and the lateral femoral circumflex vessels as vascular pedicles. This was applied in a 64-year-old male patient with total lower eyelid loss following an extended maxillectomy for tumour.


CONCLUSIONS
The prefabricated flap described here showed more flexibility and a longer vascular pedicle, thus improving the applications for use in patients with limited recipient vessels yet without major sacrifice or deformity in the donor area.
Kobayashi
Kazuo
K
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan. kobak@silver.plala.or.jp
Ishihara
Hiroshi
H
Murakami
Ryuichi
R
Kinoshita
Naoshi
N
Tokunaga
Kazuyo
K
D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D005143:Eyelids / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D020273:Orbital Implants; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*