The Cutler-Beard flap for upper eyelid reconstruction: Surgical indications revisited.

PURPOSE: To present the long-term outcome of the Cutler-Beard two-stage technique in patients with large full-thickness upper eyelid defects after tumor excision. METHODS: The medical records of 24 patients with large full-thickness upper eyelid defects reconstructed with the Cutler-Beard technique from January 2000 to January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All the defects involved ≥ 60% of the horizontal length of the upper eyelid and extended vertically for at least 15 mm from the eyelid margin. Patients with follow-up < 24 months were excluded. Long-term postoperative complications, functional outcome, and patient's satisfaction at the end of the follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients' age ranged from 36 to 88 (mean 66.0 ± 10.7 years) and 58.3% were females. Seven patients (29.2%) had had previous eyelid surgeries. The most common diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma (62.5%), followed by sebaceous gland carcinoma (12.5%), squamous cell carcinoma (8.3%), and Merkel cell carcinoma (8.3%). The mean duration of follow-up was 53.0 ± 16.9 months. Eleven patients (45.8%) developed upper eyelid entropion: 9 were treated conservatively with a therapeutic contact lens, 2 patients required a third operating stage. Most patients achieved a satisfactory functional and aesthetical outcome at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although non-bridging techniques are usually favored to reconstruct large upper eyelid defects, the Cutler-Beard bridge flap is a valuable technique in case of large horizontal defects where the vertical gap is greater than 15 mm. Further surgical steps are rarely necessary; however, alternative techniques should be considered following excision of highly malignant tumors.

Orbital apocrine hidrocystoma. Report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: We report the clinical features and the management of two cases of orbital hidrocystoma in the setting of an enlarging orbital mass. CASES DESCRIPTION: A 48-year-old man presented with a mass in the right upper medial orbital quadrant, firmly attached to the supraorbital incisure. A 70-year-old man had a well demarcated lesion in the upper lateral orbital quadrant adherent to the lacrimal gland. There was no history of previous orbital trauma. In both cases histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of apocrine hidrocystoma. Following surgery, the first patient complained of mild hypoesthesia in the territory of the supraorbital nerve that resolved spontaneously within 3 weeks. Surgery was uneventful in the other patient. No recurrence was seen during the follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Apocrine hidrocystomas have been rarely described in the orbit, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cystic masses. Recurrence is rare following complete surgical excision.

Anophthalmic Socket Syndrome: Prevalence, Impact and Management Strategies.

Anophthalmic socket syndrome determines functional deficits and facial deformities, and may lead to poor psychological outcomes. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the features of the syndrome, based on literature review and authors' clinical and surgical experience. An electronic database (PubMed,MEDLINE and Google Scholar) search of all articles written in English and non-English language with abstract translated to English on anophthalmic socket syndrome was performed. Data reviewed included demographics, presentations, investigations, management, complications and outcomes. Different types of orbital implants were evaluated; the management of implant exposure was examined; different orbital volume enhancement procedures such as secondary implantation, subperiosteal implants and the use of fillers in anophthalmic patients were described; the problems related to socket contraction were outlined; the treatment options for chronic anophthalmic socket pain and phantom eye syndrome were assessed; the most recent advances in the management of congenital anophthalmia were described. Current clinical evidence does not support a specific orbital implant; late exposure of porous implants may be due to pegging, which currently is seldom used; filler absorption in the orbit appears to be faster than in the dermis, and repeated treatments could be a potential source of inflammation; socket contraction results in significant functional and psychological disability, and management is challenging. Patients affected by anophthalmic socket pain and phantom eye syndrome need specific counseling. It is auspicable to use a standardized protocol to treat children affected by clinical congenital anophthalmia; dermis fat graft is a suitable option in these patients as it helps continued socket expansion. Dermis fat graft can also address the volume deficit in case of explantation of exposed implants and in contracted sockets in both children and adults. Appropriate clinical care is essential, as adequate prosthesis wearing improves the quality of life of anophthalmic patients.

Management of proximal lacrimal obstructions: a rationale.

PURPOSE: To identify a rationale for correct surgical treatment of proximal lacrimal obstructions. METHODS: Retrospective review of 775 consecutive patients (974 eyes) with proximal lacrimal obstructions, operated on with customized surgery by a senior surgeon (FMQL) from January 2003 to December 2018. RESULTS: In case of punctal stenosis, punctoplasty was as effective as punctal dilatation with monocanalicular or bicanalicular stent (p > 0.05). In proximal canalicular obstructions, failure rate of dacrocystorhinostomy with retrograde intubation (R-DCR) was significantly higher in case of false inferior passage creation than in case of no false passage creation (p = 0.02). In mid-canalicular obstructions failure rate of R-DCR was 41.3%, and bypass surgery with Jones tube at second stage was likely. Trephination and monocanalicular intubation, performed in selected cases, had a failure rate respectively of 16.6% and 21.7% in mid and distal canalicular obstructions. Canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) was successful in 77% of cases of proximal common canalicular obstruction. Bypass surgery is the treatment of choice in case of no residual patency, and rates of tube extrusion were significantly reduced with the use of StopLoss Jones tubes (SLJT) (1.7%) with respect to standard tubes (12%), (p = 0.04, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: Patient history and accurate diagnosis of the site of obstruction are essential for a correct surgical choice. Less invasive techniques as trephination and intubation may be effective, but should be reserved to patients with no associated lower lacrimal obstruction. Further studies require specific randomized clinical trials, and a standardized protocol adopted by different clinical centres.

Histological findings of levator muscle in unilateral congenital ptosis in different age groups.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the different degree of muscle atrophy in specimens of levator muscle of patients operated on for unilateral congenital ptosis, as related to the age of the patient. METHODS: Histological analysis of the specimen of the levator muscle of 29 patients who underwent a unilateral levator muscle resection under the care of one surgeon was performed. The study population was divided into two different groups according to the timing of surgery: group 1 included 15 children operated on at 2 to 4 years, and group 2 included 14 children operated on at 4.1 to 11 years. RESULTS: Levator muscle of 12 patients of group 1 showed mild degree of muscle atrophy, with striated muscle fibres separated by thin fibrous septa incorporating groups of cells with peripheral nuclei and non-hyalinized cytoplasm (Masson's trichrome stain). In eight cases of group 2, levator muscle showed instead severe atrophy, with discontinuous striated muscle fibres separated by thick fibrous septa including cells with centralization of nuclei, hyalinization of cytoplasm (Masson's trichrome stain) and fatty infiltration. CONCLUSION: Myofibres found in specimens of levator muscle following levator resection for congenital ptosis show characteristics of a degenerative process. This study seems to demonstrate that atrophy in the levator muscle appears to be related to the age of the patient at surgery, as atrophy tends to be more evident in older children with congenital ptosis.