The use of tissue expanders in the correction of ectropion in an animal model

The use of tissue expanders in eyelid reconstruction has seen limited application. To determine the efficacy of tissue expanders in the correction of cicatricial ectropion, an animal model was developed. Lower-eyelid blepharoplasty with overcorrection was performed on 18 New Zealand white rabbits. After 1 month, if significant ectropion was present, tissue expanders (1.8-cm3 Cylindrical/Microdome [CUI Corporation, Carpinteria, Calif.]) were inserted on one side, the other eye being the control. These were inflated in the following weeks to a total volume of 2 cm3. The tissue expanders were then removed, and the animals were followed for 1 month. Although the early results were encouraging, the ectropion progressed toward its preoperative severity. It appears that lower-eyelid ectropion remains a therapeutic problem that is only partially corrected with tissue expansion alone.