Cicatricial ectropion after wound closure of facial laceration

Patients presenting to the emergency department with facial lacerations are commonplace and often sutured by a junior trainee. Cicatricial ectropion can occur after trauma, surgery and actinic/other dermatological conditions. It can make the eye dry, irritated and vulnerable to infection and water excessively. A 71-year-old man presented to the emergency department after falling off his bike. He had lacerations on his right forehead and right lower eyelid, amongst other injuries. His lacerations were sutured in the emergency department but 2 months later, he presented with scar contracture and was diagnosed with cicatricial ectropion of lower eyelid. This case highlights the risk of ectropion after closure of lacerations which involve the eyelid. Ectropion and how to reduce the risk involved surgically are discussed in this case report. Both diagnosing and operating clinicians should be aware of these risks and inform the patient appropriately.