The tarsal sandwich: a new technique in lateral canthoplasty.

PURPOSE: Trauma and infection sometimes produce lower lid malpositions that are difficult to repair cosmetically with standard canthoplasty techniques. A new variation is described.

METHODS

Surgical techniques of the tarsal strip canthoplasty and of lateral tarsorrhaphy are combined into the tarsal sandwich.

RESULTS

Representative cases with preoperative and postoperative photos are presented.

CONCLUSION

The sandwich technique allows the surgeon more flexibility in achieving the necessary vertical lift of the lateral canthus in difficult cases of entropion, ectropion, and lagophthalmos.