[Reconstruction of contracted eye socket using expanded forehead island skin flap]

To investigate the feasibility of reconstruction of the contracted eye socket by an application of the expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries.

From June 2002 to June 2005, 6 patients with the eye socket defects were treated with an expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries. There were 4 males and 2 females, aged 16-42 years. The defects were caused by tumors in 2 patients, by trauma in 3, and by chemical burns in 1; the defects were in the left eyes of 4 patients and in the right eyes of the remaining 2 patients, with the illness course of 1 year to 4 years. All the patients first underwent the skin and soft tissue expanding operation on the donor forehead skin area; 1 month later, the transplant of the expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries was performed to reconstruct the eye sockets. The flaps ranged in size from 8 cm x 5 cm to 10 cm x 6 cm. The appearance and functional recovery of the reconstructed eye sockets were observed after operation.

The follow-up of all the patients for 1-3 years revealed that the skin flaps survived, with no visible contracture, and the fine sensory function was still present. The artificial eyes could be steadily placed in the reconstructed eye sockets. The donor areas were healed with no visible hyperplastic scars.

Reconstruction of the eye socket with an expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries is a feasible, effective and simply method, and the patient can have a concealed incision, a satisfactory appearance, and a fine sensory function.