Mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap for complete excision of a malignant dermal and conjunctival melanoma in a dog

To perform a reconstructive blepharoplasty to obtain complete surgical excision of a darkly pigmented raised conjunctival-eyelid mass of the lower eyelid in a dog.

A 7-year-old, female-spayed, Yorkshire Terrier was evaluated for a slowly progressive, dark brown-to-black raised mass of the lower left eyelid. Sampling of the mass via fine-needle aspirate or incisional biopsy was declined, and an excision of the mass with the goal to obtain complete margins and maintain normal eyelid function with cosmesis was elected.

The lower palpebral conjunctival-eyelid pigmented mass was excised en bloc and the lower eyelid was reconstructed with a mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap.

Histopathology revealed a malignant dermal and conjunctivalmelanoma excised with complete margins (1-2 mm). Short-term complications included corneal ulceration and eschar formation, which resolved completely at the 1-month follow-up. Long-term complications included mild trichiasis with epiphora and porphyrin staining. Tumor recurrence was not observed during an 8-month follow-up period.

The en bloc excision with mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap was successful in obtaining complete surgical margins for a malignant conjunctival-eyelid melanoma. An excellent functional and cosmetic outcome was achieved without tumor recurrence during an 8-month follow-up period. A mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap can be considered as a surgical option for malignant melanoma of the lower eyelid.