Reconstruction of eyelid zones II and III: case series
Reconstrução das zonas II e III palpebrais: série de casos

INTRODUCTION

Detailed knowledge of the eyelids and ocular region anatomy (Figure 1) helps the surgeon select the best surgical technique capable of restoring eye function and perfecting the aesthetic result. The eyelid is divided into an anterior and posterior lamella. The anterior lamella is composed of skin and orbicularis muscle. The posterior lamella is composed of the conjunctiva, tarsus, and eyelid retractor muscles. The orbital septum can be considered a median lamella and is not usually reconstructed. The ocular conjunctiva on the surface of the globe is continuous with the conjunctiva that lines the eyelids’ inner surface; this relationship needs to be maintained or restored during reconstruction to preserve eyelid function^1,2.

Figure 1 - Palpebral anatomy. Division of the eyelid structures into anterior, middle and posterior lamellae (Source: Atlas of Aesthetic Eyelid and Periocular Surgery, 2004³).

Figure 1 - Palpebral anatomy. Division of the eyelid structures into anterior, middle and posterior lamellae (Source: Atlas of Aesthetic Eyelid and Periocular Surgery, 2004³).

The periorbital zones can be didactically divided, as shown in Figure 2, and are numbered from I to V.

Figure 2 - Eyelid zones. Representative illustration of the division of the periorbital region into zones numbered from I to V.

Figure 2 - Eyelid zones. Representative illustration of the division of the periorbital region into zones numbered from I to V.

Surgical excision of skin tumors is one of the most frequent causes of eyelid defects. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent tumor in this location, corresponding to about 90% of cases, with a predominance of lesions in the lower eyelid¹. Squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and melanoma are less prevalent histological types². The defects resulting from the excision of cutaneous eyelid tumors require detailed knowledge of the periorbital region’s anatomy and the most appropriate surgical approaches for the success of reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the work is to apply different forms of reconstruction of eyelid defects located specifically in zone II and III or that corresponding to the lower eyelid and the medial angle, respectively.

METHODS

Serie of seven patients between 69 and 90 years old with a surgical wound on the lower eyelid, after removal of malignant tumors, with defects ranging from approximately 30% to 80% of horizontal extension (Table 1). Patients underwent local anesthesia with or without sedation or general anesthesia. After complete excision of the tumor located in the lower eyelid, surgical reconstruction was performed, according to the extent and depth, using neighborhood flaps or skin grafting. In none of the cases, tarsal reconstruction with cartilage graft was not performed, which is usual in lower eyelid surgeries with extensive involvement of this anatomical structure (Figure 2).

Table 1 - Materials and methods.

Different flaps were drawn and made, and a more superficial defect was repaired with a skin graft from the preauricular area.

Case 1

Skin graft: 86-year-old patient, whose lesion affected the skin, reaching zone III, resection was performed with preservation of the middle and posterior lamella structures. Skin grafting was performed, obtaining ipsilateral anterior preauricular skin and repairing the defect (Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Patient underwent full-thickness pre-auricular skin grafting after excision of BCC in zone II.

Figure 3 - Patient underwent full-thickness pre-auricular skin grafting after excision of BCC in zone II.

More superficial defects can be repaired with skin grafts, constitute donor areas: retroauricular and preauricular skin in some cases of the upper eyelid, as they have similarities with the eyelid skin^1,4.

Case 2

Paramedian frontal flap: patient presented a recurrent lesion in the right eye (RE) medial canthus with ten months of evolution. Resection and intraoperative freezing were performed. The generated defect had depth up to the orbit periosteal region. The patient had several scar areas in the nasal and glabellar dorsal region; the paramedian and contralateral frontal flap was selected for reconstruction (Figure 4).

Figure 4 - Paramedian frontal flap: patient presented with a recurrent lesion in the medial corner of the RE, with 10 months of evolution.

Figure 4 - Paramedian frontal flap: patient presented with a recurrent lesion in the medial corner of the RE, with 10 months of evolution.

Cases 3 and 4

Imre flap: two male patients were selected, the first of them with a large lesion, with partial blockage of the visual axis. He underwent resection with intraoperative freezing. The pathology revealed to be sebaceous carcinoma. The second case was a 76 years old male, with histopathological diagnosis of BCC (Figures 5 and 6).

Figure 5 - Imre flap, reconstruction of a major defect in the left medial canthus, with excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Figure 5 - Imre flap, reconstruction of a major defect in the left medial canthus, with excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Figure 6 - Imre flap: surgical sequence.

Figure 6 - Imre flap: surgical sequence.

Case 5

Glabellar flap: 76-year-old patient with an ulcerated lesion in the transition region from the medial palpebral canthus to the nasal dorsum. It was performed a glabellar flap (Figure 7).

Figure 7 - Transposed glabellar flap to restore anatomy of the left medial canthus.

Figure 7 - Transposed glabellar flap to restore anatomy of the left medial canthus.

Cases 6 and 7

Esser flap: A 73-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man were operated on, both diagnosed with BCC (Figures 8 and 9).

Figure 8 - Esser flap after wide detachment is rotated to correct defects in zone II and III.

Figure 8 - Esser flap after wide detachment is rotated to correct defects in zone II and III.

Figure 9 - Case 7. Esser flap with good final scar positioning.

Figure 9 - Case 7. Esser flap with good final scar positioning.

RESULTS

Seven patients aged between 69 and 90 years were operated on, four females and three males, six with a BCC diagnosis, and one with a sebaceous tumor. All operated cases were located in periorbital zones II and/or III, in the medial canthus of the unilateral lower eyelid. All of them evolved with useful function without retraction or distortion of the anatomy and preservation of the lacrimal pathways’ drainage.

DISCUSSION

In superficial lesions, a free skin graft is used, which is preferably obtained from the retroauricular region. The skin to be grafted, after cleaning the subcutaneous cell tissue, is sutured in the recipient bed, and a Brow dressing is made. Five days after the dressing is done, the tie-over is removed⁴. In deep lesions where the bone part is exposed after resection, the glabella VY flap is used, which is practical and simple; two incisions forming an inverted V in the glabella region are made, then the flap is detached and slid to the place where the lesion was resected and sutured^1,5.

In cases where the ends of the eyelids are included in the resection, the frontomedial flap is used. In these cases, the surgery will be performed in two stages - the frontomedial flap is initially transposed; after 3 to 4 weeks, the second time is done: the pedicle is resected, the rest being taken to its original bed. Then the area is degreased, and the ends of the eyelids are remade^5,6.

The frontal flap is safe, with little morbidity in the donor area, and is an essential option for eyelid reconstructions. The need for a posterior surgical procedure for resectioning the pedicle and the excess volume of flap fat tissue is one of the main disadvantages of this procedure. The patient presented an adequate postoperative evolution without complications^7,8.

When the defect is greater than 50% of the lower eyelid, and this same defect has a circular shape, the Imre sliding flap should be considered. The incision is parallel to the lower palpebral margin, extending to the inner canthus and descending to the nasolabial fold. This flap must be well taken off throughout the genian region to avoid ectropion⁹.

The use of the Imre flap provided good aesthetic and functional result, similar to other flaps commonly used for that kind of reconstructions, such as Mustardé, Esser, and the glabellar flap for the medial canthus. As an advantage, we believe that this method ensures a better positioning of the final scar in the natural grooves of the face⁹.

The simple or bilobed glabellar flap is characterized by its transposition of skin from the glabellar region to the medial eye canthus. It is essential to incorporate the vascular pedicle of this flap into the supratrochlear artery. The result may not reproduce the concavity typical of the medial eye canthus. It is important to note that hair in the glabellar region represents a disadvantage in using this flap since it can provide hair growth in an area of ​​glabrous skin, such as the inner eye canthus^1,6.

The Esser flap is used to repair significant defects in the lower eyelid. Its incision begins in the lateral canthus, extends upwards, and descends to the preauricular region (Figures 8 and 9). The entire flap is dissected in the genian and preauricular region through a plane immediately above the musculoaponeurotic system, and, finally, it is rotated and advanced to cover the defect^1,5,7.

CONCLUSION

Eyelid reconstruction requires not only precise anatomical knowledge, but also the most varied surgical techniques to obtain a functional and aesthetically satisfactory result and, thus, minimize postoperative complications.