Complete mobilization of the cheek zone for orbit exenteration

Patients with malignant orbital tumors often undergo eyeball excision, orbital tissues and lids, which results in severe deformities. Our experience concerns the use of a skin fascial flap of the cheek zone, the V-Y design, in 10 patients after ocular malignant tumor resection. Seven patients had basal cell carcinomas of the lower lids with invasion of the ocular tissues. The complete tumor resection was controlled by frozen-section biopsy in all patients. The results were evaluated from an oncologic, functional, and aesthetic point of view. We noticed 2 recurrences in a minimum follow up of 2 years. The functional and aesthetic results were quite satisfactory and no serious complications were noticed in our series. The primary advantage of this interesting flap is the dominant vasculature derived from arteria transversa faciei, arteria facialis, and arteria infraorbitalis that secure good vascular contribution. It should be regarded as very useful for surface coverage problems at the orbit because it performs in a one-stage procedure with minimum morbility and good functional result.