[Upper eyelid reconstruction with forehead skin flap with base at the supraorbital artery region]

In order to find an ideal method to reconstruct the upper eyelid defect resulted from trauma or inflammation, we explored the possibility of using forehead skin flap with the base at the supraorbital artery region and combined with free mucous membrane transplanting.

This article was a retrospective case senes analysis. Nine cases of upper eyelid defect have been collected from September 2003 to July 2008 in Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. We designed a forehead skin flap with the base at the opposite side supraorbital artery region transferring from the subcutaneous tunnel and combined with free mucous membrane transplanting to reconstruct the defected eyelid. We also made a forehead muscle in auxiliary to achieve upper eyelid elevating function. We followed up 1 to 5 years by Clinical observation and questionnaire survey from fuction, appearance and patient satisfaction.

All of these nine forehead skin flaps were survived. These flaps had stable blood supply, similar texture and color as well as fine feeling. The postoperative complications included 1 case of upper eyelid dysraphism, 1 case of skin hypertrophy, 2 cases of pedicle overstaffed, all these complications have been repaired in half a year after the operation. We followed up 1 to 5 years, every patient had got a good repair effect.

The forehead skin flap with the base at the supraorbital artery region is an ideal flap supply for repairing upper eyelid defect.