title: Diagonal tarsal suture technique sine marginal sutures for closure of full-thickness eyelid defects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Precise apposition of the tarsal plates and meticulous alignment of the eyelid margins are essential to ensure a seamless repair and avoid notching of the eyelid margin. The authors present a simple and reliable technique that firmly apposes and precisely aligns the eyelid margin in the x, y, and z axes, obviating the need for marginal sutures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit of electronic medical records was performed for all patients who underwent reconstructive procedures that included the repair of a full-thickness defect in the eyelid margin using the diagonal suture technique from 2003 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 652 surgeries performed in the past 9 years, 9 incidences of notching occurred, all of which were associated with infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagonal tarsal suture technique is a simple and effective method for the repair of full-thickness defects with a high degree of patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Solano Dermatology Associates, Fairfield, California 94534, USA. andrea.willey@mac.com
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willey
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Caesar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000175:diagnosis; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011098:Polyglactin 910