Speaker: Use skin grafts from flaps in complicated eyelid reconstruction

PHILADELPHIA – Reconstructive surgeons can use a skin graft of excess tissue during flap construction in complicated eyelid surgeries, according to a speaker at the Wills Eye Conference.

“In general, we prefer flaps over grafts because local skin has a better color and texture match. In addition, there’s less contraction in healing compared to grafts, and flaps come with their own blood supply,” Renelle Pointdujour-Lim, MD, said.

Renelle Pointdujour-Lim

However, when the case is complicated and would require multiple grafts or flaps, using a combination of the two procedures can be beneficial.

“The flap edge needs to be trimmed so it fits into the contour of the defect. That can either be discarded, or we propose using it as a full thickness skin graft,” she said.

The novel procedure avoids complications and creates a linear scar that heals more naturally than traditional grafts. — by Rebecca L. Forand

Reference:

Pointdujour-Lim R. Grafts from flaps: A novel surgical technique. Presented at: Wills Eye Conference; March 9-11, 2017; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: Lim reports no relevant financial disclosures.