Chondroplast: A new material for eyelid reconstruction

After tumor excision both lamellae of the eyelid require reconstruction in order to achieve good functional and cosmetic results. The tarsus is replaced either by autologous or heterologous material. We used Chondroplast as a tarsal replacement in 25 patients who had undergone extensive tumor excision. Chondroplast is a beta-irradiated bovine cartilage. A 1-mm-thick lamella is fixed to the rest of the tarsal plate or the canthal tendon and positioned in a preformed pocket or the conjunctiva and a thin layer of orbicularis muscle and skin. All implants took well. Postoperative results, lid closure and cosmetic appearance were excellent. No complications such as infection or loss of the implant occurred. The advantages of Chondroplast are: its availability in large pieces, no need for harvesting procedures and good biocompatibility.