RESUMO
PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique using a 10/14 French silicone urinary catheter as a novel tissue expander for repair of defects after removal of eyelid tumors. This device recruits additional tissue by tissue expansion for repair of large eyelid defects. METHODS: A prospective noncomparative, interventional case study was conducted over a period of 3 years in which 30 patients were enrolled. All the 30 patients were selected for upper or lower lid Tenzel rotational flap after removal of large malignant tumor, using the tissue expander. RESULTS: A 10/14-French silicone urinary catheter was placed in the periocular region and expanded by graded inflation with normal saline to a total volume of 10 or 14 ml, respectively, over a period of 3 days. On the fourth day before the planned surgery, the catheter balloon was deflated and a modified Tenzel rotational flap was performed to close the defect. Postoperative blink reflex was preserved. There were no cases of wound dehiscence. There was a significant reduction of incision length in upper and lower lid reconstruction with modified Tenzel flap reconstruction. CONCLUSION: This approach allows for temporary tissue expansion, permitting the closure of large eyelid defects, typically not possible with a conventional Tenzel flap. This also provides excellent functional outcomes without closing patients' eyelids (which limits vision for weeks to months) as is typical of other reconstructive modalities (e.g. Cutler Beard procedure). The device is cost-effective and readily available. The authors believe it is an excellent alternative in the developing world where access to more expensive options is limited.
RESUMO
Purpose: To compare surgical and functional outcomes, safety, efficacy and cost of silicone plate vs. autogenous auricular cartilage (AAC) as alternate material to tarsal plate for upper eyelid reconstruction after excision of malignant tumor. Methods: A prospective, comparative, interventional study of over 3 years was conducted on two groups of twenty patients each. All the patients had undergone the Modified Cutler Beard procedure with AAC being used as tarsal substitute in one group and a novel silicone plate in the other. Post-operative MRD 1, LPS action, Central Lid Thickness, and Lid contour were recorded at one week, one month and six months follow-up. Results: The pre-operative MRD 1 in the silicone plate and AAC group was -2.95 ± 1.19 mm and -3.05 ± 1(1).05 mm, post-operative in the silicone plate group 3.8 ± 0.4 mm, and in the AAC group, 3.8 ± 0.41 mm. The pre-operative LPS action in the silicone plate and AAC group was 1.2 ± 1.1 mm and 1.0 ± 0.9 mm and post-operative it was 13.8 ± 0.4 mm for the silicone plate group and 13.7 ± 0.4 mm for the AAC group. The post-operative lid thickness for the silicone plate group was 4.4 ± 0.17 mm and for the AAC group it was 4.4 ± 0.08 mm. Conclusion: The cosmetic outcome in terms of lid contour maintenance is better in the silicone plate group, in which it markedly reduces the surgical time, provides earlier rehabilitation, and eliminates disease transmission. Harvesting of AAC is a skillful and time-consuming procedure and adds to the post-operative morbidity due to the presence of a second surgical site. The low manufacturing cost of silicone plate as opposed to other allogenic and synthetic tarsal substitutes makes it readily available to resource limited populations. The silicone plate is reckoned to become the material of choice as tarsal substitute in the future. Abbreviations: AAC = Autogenous auricular cartilage, MRD-1 = Margin reflex distance-1, LPS = levator palpebrae superioris, PFH = palpebral fissure height.