Use of hard palate grafts for treatment of postsurgical lower eyelid retraction: a technical overview

Lower eyelid retraction occasionally occurs following the repair of fractures involving the orbital rims, orbital floor, or complex zygomatic maxillary complex fractures. The surgical repair of these scarred eyelids has been historically difficult. The authors have utilized the principle of releasing the scar tissue and attempting to reposition the eyelid in its normal anatomic position by employing a hard palate mucosal graft spacer to correct the eyelid malposition. In this article, the authors discuss the excellent success they have experienced utilizing hard palate autologous grafts as spacers performing revision of scarred contracted lower eyelid retractors and tightening of the lateral canthal tendon complex. Adherence to the principles delineated in the article can yield excellent functional and cosmetic results.