title: Transconjunctival lateral cantholysis for closure of full-thickness eyelid defects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a novel technique for closure of full-thickness eyelid defects too large for primary closure that avoids an external lateral canthotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of a consecutive case series of all patients undergoing transconjunctival lateral cantholysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen eyelids of 12 patients underwent transconjuctival lateral cantholysis for closure of a full-thickness eyelid defect. Each defect occurred after excision of an eyelid cutaneous malignancy. Each defect would not close primarily without undue wound tension. Average horizontal defect size measured 13.7 mm (range, 11-20 mm). Average follow-up interval was 2.3 months (range, 0.5-5 months). All defects healed well with no evidence of dehiscence, notching or other complication related to closure. No patient requested or required further surgery for any reason.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transconjunctival lateral cantholysis allows for closure of larger full-thickness eyelid defects and avoids morbidity from lateral canthotomy/cantholysis.
authors.affiliation: Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Julian D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing