Customized Reconstruction of Lower Eyelid Defects

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Lower eyelid defects result from trauma, tumors, or burns, impacting function and aesthetics.
• Conventional treatments for lower eyelid defects present limitations like scarring and ectropion.
• A novel approach combines a customized mid-face lift with a free mucochondral graft.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a customized mid-face lift with a free mucochondral graft for lower eyelid defect reconstruction.
• To assess the aesthetic and functional outcomes of this combined surgical technique.
• To compare the novel method against conventional treatments for lower eyelid defects.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 40 patients with lower eyelid defects treated between April 2013 and October 2020.
• Surgical reconstruction utilized a customized mid-face lift, with or without a free mucochondral graft.
• Postoperative follow-up included periodic outpatient clinic visits for 12 months.

Main Results:

• The primary causes for lower eyelid defects included malignancy, trauma, and foreign body granuloma.
• Four patients experienced minor complications (chemosis, hematoma, corneal abrasion), resolving with conservative therapy.
• No patients required revision surgery during the average follow-up period, indicating successful reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• Customized mid-face lift with free mucochondral graft provides superior aesthetic reconstruction for lower eyelid defects.
• This technique effectively addresses the limitations of conventional surgical methods.
• The combined approach is a favorable option for reconstructing various lower eyelid defects.