Orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flap for upper eyelid reconstruction

The cosmetic and functional outcomes of a reconstruction of an upper eyelid defect due to trauma or neoplasm are very important. This article reports the technique of an orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flap for covering small- to moderate-sized defects of the upper eyelid. Between March 2008 and March 2010, 5 patients underwent surgery for an upper eyelid reconstruction. After tumor excision and debridement, the eyelid margin was closed directly before the reconstruction. The flap was designed just beside the defect considering the amount of tissue remaining for the reconstruction. The flap was elevated by splitting the muscle by the direction of its fibers without damaging the pedicle. The elevated flap was then transposed to the defect without tension.The orbicularis oculi myocutaneous flap is a single-stage reconstruction with reliable vascularity. It can be used to cover a defect without compromising the primary closure of the donor site and can be customized to reconstruct the defect with minimal tissue. Therefore, an orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flap can be an alternative for a single-stage reconstruction of small- to moderate-sized defects of the upper eyelid.