[Chondroplast as tarsus substitute in eyelid reconstruction]

After tumor excision both lamallae of the eyelid have to be recreated to achieve good functional and cosmetic results. Tarsus should be replaced either by autologous cartilage like nasoseptal/ear cartilage, autologous lid cartilage or heterologous materials like a polytetrafluorethylene soft tissue patch (Goretex). We used Chondroplast as tarsus replacement in five patients after extensive tumor excision. Chondroplast is beta-irridiated, bovine cartilage. A thin 1.0-mm-thick lamella is fixed to the rest of the tarsus plate or the canthal tendon and positioned in a preformed pocket of conjunctiva and a thin layer of orbicularis muscle and skin. It is most important to cover the new tarsus completely with orbicularis muscle and conjunctiva. All implants took well. The postoperative results, lid closure and cosmetic appearance are excellent. No complications like infection or loss of the transplant occurred. The Chondroplast advantages are: availability in big pieces, no need for harvesting procedures and good biocompatibility. For these reasons Chondroplast proved to be an excellent graft to rebuild the tarsus and provides stability of the eyelid.