Reconstruction of Medial Canthal Defects by Local/Loco-Regional Flaps

To describe a series of medial canthal defect reconstruction by local/loco-regional flaps following excision of basal cell carcinoma.

A series of 35 medial canthal defects following excision of basal cell carcinoma was reconstructed by local/loco-regional flaps. For smaller defects, glabellar lateral advancement flap or Limberg's flap from the nasolabial area were used to resurface the defects. For larger defects extending to the upper and lower eyelid or to the nose, a combination of flaps, that is, forehead and cheek rotation flaps or glabellar and cheek rotation flaps were used.

In all the cases, the aesthetic and functional results were highly satisfactory except in one, where punctum and lower canaliculi were also excised with the tumor for clearance. This patient complained of watering from the affected eye. Two patients had developed webbing after the operation. It was corrected by Z plasty after 6 months.

Medial canthal defects are best managed by local/ loco-regional flaps. For smaller defects in the upper part, the glabellar flap is the choice of the flap and in the lower part, flaps from the nasolabial region give the best result. For larger defects not amenable to single flap, a combination of flaps (glabellar/forehead flap and cheek rotation flap) can close the defects with the good aesthetic and functional results.