The addition of a conjunctival flap to a posterior lamella auricular cartilage graft: A technique to avoid corneal complications.

PURPOSE: To present the benefits of the addition of a conjunctival flap when correcting lower eyelid retraction using an auricular cartilage graft.

METHODS

An auricular cartilage graft was obtained either from the concha o the scaphoid fossa. When preparing the receiving bed, the conjunctival incision was made 2 mm below the inferior margin of the lower eyelid tarsus, therefore, a conjunctival flap arising from the inferior border of the tarsus was obtained. The cartilage graft was placed in the lower eyelid. The inferior border of the graft was sutured to the retractors and conjunctiva using absorbable sutures. The superior border was sutured to the inferior tarsus, so that de conjunctival flap covered the superior portion of the graft.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients underwent the surgical technique. No corneal complications were observed in the early or late postoperative period. Donor site complications were not encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

The confection of a conjunctival flap that lines the superior portion of an auricular cartilage graft in the lower eyelid provides protection against corneal postoperative complications until the graft is epithelized.