Surgical Feasibility of Curtler-Beard Reconstruction for Large Upper Eyelid Defect

To report long-term surgical outcomes of Cutler-Beard reconstructive surgery in patients with large full-thickness upper eyelid defects following malignant tumor excision.

The medical records of 5 consecutive patients with full-thickness upper eyelid defects following tumor resection who underwent Cutler-Beard surgery were reviewed retrospectively between April 2005 and November 2018. Surgical procedure comprises 2 stages: first, complete tumor resection followed by bridged full-thickness lower eyelid advancement flap; second, separation of the closed eyelid with eyelid margin repair 7 to 9 weeks later. Postoperative anatomical, functional and cosmetic outcomes, and complications were evaluated during follow-up at 22 to 77 months.

Patients were in the age group of 49 to 75 years, including 3 (60%) females and 2 (40%) males. Three of the 5 patients (60%) exhibited sebaceous cell carcinoma and 2 (40%) showed squamous cell carcinoma. Three patients (60%) underwent Cutler-Beard surgery after recurrence of primary carcinoma following previous operation. Three patients underwent revision surgery with entropion, 2 underwent correction for wound dehiscence and 1 was treated with symblepharon lysis. No serious or permanent ocular complications were observed during the operation or follow-up with the patients. The procedure resulted in good aesthetic quality and acceptable sequelae at the donor site.

Cutler-Beard procedure for the reconstruction of large and full-thickness upper eyelid defects is an effective procedure with satisfactory long-term results, although a few patients may require minor revision surgery.