ISLAND CHONDRO-MUCOSAL FLAP AND SKIN-GRAFT - A NEW TECHNIQUE IN EYELID RECONSTRUCTION

We report a new technique of large full thickness eyelid defect recons truction using an axial island chondro-mucosal flap from the lateral a spect of the nose and a full-thickness skin graft. The flap is harvest ed undermining the skin and the subperiosteal plane and taking a strip of upper lateral cartilage and nasal mucosa. It is transposed to reco nstruct the tarso-conjunctival plane of the missing eyelid and the ski n defect repaired with a skin graft. The donor defect is repaired by d irect closure. Satisfactory results were obtained in 3 patients. In ou r opinion, the technique is a reliable choice when dealing with large full thickness defects of the upper eyelid, and, in selected cases, of the lower eyelid.