Treatment of divided eyelid nevus with island skin flap: report of ten cases and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Three different techniques used in 10 cases of divided eyelid nevus and the results are reported and discussed.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 10 patients who had undergone treatment of divided eyelid nevus with skin flap between March 2003 and March 2008 was conducted. According to the location, shape, and size of the upper and lower eyelids nevus orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous flap, postauricular superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS)-pedicled flap, or reversal superficial temporal artery (STA) flap was designed to repair the eyelid defects.

RESULTS

Ten patients were treated in this series with 10 oculi musculocutaneous flaps, 3 postauricular SMAS-pedicled flaps, and 3 reversal STA flaps. One postauricular SMAS-pedicled flap and 1 reversal STA flap showed distal flap venous refluence (reflux) obstruction and partial epidermal necrosis in the early postoperative stage, but after active treatment, they healed well and needed no surgical revision. All the other flaps survived well. Four flaps showed slight trapdoor deformation needing no revision. No other complication developed during the follow-up periods of 6 to 36 months. All the donor sites were closed directly and healed well with inconspicuous scarring. This series has exhibited satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.

CONCLUSIONS

Treating divided eyelid nevus with well-selected skin flaps is satisfying with excellent color and texture matching, normal eyelid function, and inconspicuous donor deformity.