Subtotal eyelid reconstruction

I hope to stress that with familiarity with this procedure: (A) 50% of one or both lids as well as canthal excision can be adequately reconstructed in one operation without the need for canthotomy. (B) Scarring is minimized and resultant function and cosmetic results are good. (C) For the purposes of ablative surgery or traumatic loss the eyelids may be considered comparable to other external sphincters and amenable to the same reconstructive procedures and concepts which obtain in these other structures. Although many procedures have been recommended for sizeable lid losses, I feel that this operation offers certain advantages, particularly in its simplicity. These 7 cases demonstrate sizeable resections of lid tissue with satisfactory results even when as much as 50% or more is removed from one or both lids. The cardinal principle of the use of local tissues as recommended by Von Imre is to be stressed and still holds true today.