title: A Crossover Reconstruction Between the Forehead Expansion and Upper Eyelid Skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In cosmetic surgery, the authors have successfully used forehead expansion for reconstruction of the upper eyelid, and have found it to be indispensable for reconstruction of the upper eyelid. In such an operation, preserving the eyebrow is often a problem, and they suggest an approach in 2 stages, which allows us to both save the eyebrow and use the expander flap at the same time. In the last 6 years, they have performed 5 forehead expansions for total upper eyelid skin reconstruction, achieving very good aesthetic outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Firstly, the authors measure the defect and choose an appropriate expander implant for the forehead. Secondly, they cut out the pathologically changed-turned red or scarred-skin to protect the eyebrow. Next they get out the tissue expander and use the tissue flap to repair the upper eyelid defect, while the eyebrow is under the expander flap, covered by skin, which they originally cut from the upper eyelid. Three weeks later they can cut down the pedicel and the flap becomes the new upper eyelid skin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors find that the new upper eyelid skin may be vascularized by dermatological vessels from the expander flap. The forehead expander flap is reliable and particularly well suited for an upper eyelid, with numerous advantages. In this way, they make maximal use of the expander flap and no additional incision is needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Haidong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhenmin
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D005138:Eyebrows / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005546:Forehead / Q000601:surgery*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult