Principles of the surgical therapy of eyelid tumours

The case histories of 290 eyelid tumours at the North-West Germany Clinic for Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Hamburg, are evaluated and the experiences gained in the surgical therapy of this type of tumour reported. It is emphasized how necessary it is that the radicality of tumour resection by controlled by frozen section microscopy during the operation. This ensures a low recurrence rate. The results which were evaluated at the earliest six months after eyelid reconstruction, show that, despite different initial situations, a high percentage of both good functional and aesthetic results may be obtained after extensive tumour resection. This requires that the reconstructive method most suitable for the individual case be chosen out of the wealth of techniques. The most important ones used at our hospital are discussed on the basis of various examples.