Total lower eyelid reconstruction with a prefabricated flap using auricular cartilage.

INTRODUCTION

Various methods have been reported for reconstructing the lower eyelid, but there is still the problem of creating a deep fornix and a supportive eyelid for housing an artificial eye.

CASE REPORT: A new prefabricated flap was developed using auricular cartilage and the lateral femoral circumflex vessels as vascular pedicles. This was applied in a 64-year-old male patient with total lower eyelid loss following an extended maxillectomy for tumour.

CONCLUSION

The prefabricated flap described here showed more flexibility and a longer vascular pedicle, thus improving the applications for use in patients with limited recipient vessels yet without major sacrifice or deformity in the donor area.