title: Partial spontaneous cross union post-division of hughes flap.
abstract: We report three cases of partial spontaneous canthal cross union, a rare complication in cases where Hughes flaps are used to reconstruct lower eyelid defects that also involve the canthi. All cases of spontaneous cross union were identified within 2 months of uneventful division of Hughes' flap. Two cases were successfully divided with good aesthetic results although one patient was not keen on surgery, as it was aesthetically acceptable to him. The postulated mechanism was either the proximity of the divided nonepithelial margins or the failure to trim the residual upper eyelid tarsoconjunctival remnant. We recommended adequate trimming of the residual upper eyelid tarsoconjunctival remnant and an early postoperative review to prevent adhesions from developing.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital of Coventry, United Kingdom. s_ho2@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shu Fen
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Horneff
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Harpreet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahluwalia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome