Application of the lateral orbital flap to reconstruction of the upper and lower eyelids and the eye socket after enucleation.

The wide applications of the subcutaneous pedicle flap "lateral orbital flap" named by the author is presented. The flap is designed between the lateral canthus and the sideburn as a spindle or crescent shaped island 2- to 3-cm wide and 5-cm long. To reconstruct the upper or lower eyelids, the flap is elevated as thin as possible, whereas for the eye socket reconstruction, an adequate volume of subcutaneous fat tissue is attached to the flap. The pedicle is designed inferomedially for the reconstruction of the recipient, any shape of the flap can be designed. As the anatomic structure of the donor site is similar to the eyelid, the excellent result can be obtained both functionally and cosmetically. The donor site is primarily closed without a marked scar. The cases of reconstructions using lateral orbital flap for the upper eyelid and the eye socket in the anophtalmic condition are presented.