Eyelid reconstruction with irradiated human tarsal plate and aorta.

Reconstruction of posterior lamellar eyelid defects requires a tissue substitute that is either identical to the tissue lost (ex. surrounding or nearby tarsus) or donor tissue from another site that serves the same supportive role. Irradiated homologous tarsal plate and irradiated homologous aorta are potential posterior lamellar substitutes. Each provides a structural framework for the surrounding lid tissues to grow upon and are incorporated into the normal eyelid anatomy. Both the tarsal plate and aorta can be harvested, irradiated and stored in a refrigerator, ready to be utilized in those selected cases with severe tissue loss. They may also be utilized as a donor material in more routine lid reconstruction as an alternative. We discuss our experience with these materials.