Second Intention Healing After Laser Ablation of Benign Eyelid Margin Tumors

This study aims to present the therapeutic outcomes of benign eyelid margin tumors treated with laser ablation, offering an alternative approach to traditional shaving biopsy.

In all patients, tumors were eliminated through either laser ablation or shaving biopsy. Comparative analysis was conducted between two patient groups: the laser-assisted ablation group (Group 1) and the shaving excision surgery group (Group 2). A total of 66 patients with 67 benign eyelid margin tumors were retrospectively included in this study (2019-2023). Thity-four cases underwent laser ablation, and 33 cases were subjected to shaving excision biopsy. Postoperatively, histologic confirmation was obtained in 11 out of the 33 cases that underwent shaving excision.

In Group 1, no functional or cosmetic complications were observed. The wound margin was clear after laser-assisted ablation in all cases. In Group 2, there was one instance of eyelid notching, loss of cilia, and two pigmentations. No wound infections were reported. The average wound epithelialization duration was 3.3 weeks in Group 1, significantly faster than 4.2 weeks in Group 2 (p < .01). The average lesion size was 3.0 × 2.9 mm in Group 1, significantly smaller than 3.5 × 3.4 mm in Group 2 (p < .05). No recurrences were observed during the follow-up period.

Laser ablation for small benign eyelid margin tumors may be a favorable alternative to shaving excision biopsy surgery. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. There was no definitive postoperative or intraoperative complication during or after laser application.