A Crossover Reconstruction Between the Forehead Expansion and Upper Eyelid Skin

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Ophthalmology
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Forehead expansion is a valuable technique for upper eyelid reconstruction in cosmetic surgery.
• Preserving the eyebrow during this procedure presents a challenge.
• A novel two-stage approach has been developed to address eyebrow preservation and flap utilization.

Observation:

• The technique involves measuring the defect, selecting an expander, and excising scarred skin to protect the eyebrow.
• The tissue expander is removed, and the flap is used for upper eyelid repair, with the eyebrow concealed beneath it.
• After three weeks, the pedicel is divided, and the flap forms the new upper eyelid skin.

Findings:

• The reconstructed upper eyelid skin is successfully vascularized by vessels from the forehead expander flap.
• The forehead expander flap proves reliable and advantageous for upper eyelid reconstruction.
• This method maximizes the use of the expander flap without requiring additional incisions.

Implications:

• This two-stage forehead expansion technique offers excellent aesthetic outcomes for total upper eyelid skin reconstruction.
• The approach ensures both the preservation of the eyebrow and the effective use of the expander flap.
• The reliability and advantages of the forehead expander flap make it well-suited for upper eyelid repair.