ISLAND CHONDROMUCOSAL FLAP FROM THE NOSE IN RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EYELID - A LIGHT AND SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Specimens from the reconstructed eyelids of two out of 15 patients ope rated on using an island chondromucosal flap from the nose were observ ed under light and scanning electron microscopy (EM) to study the hist ological and ultrastructural features of nasal epithelium transferred as a flap to the lids, the microscopic appearance of the other tissues of the flap, and its vascularisation. Both Light and scanning EM imag es showed that nasal epithelium, when transferred as part of a flap fo r reconstruction of the eyelid, maintains its differentiation for many months. The lumen of arteries and veins can be observed in sagittal s ections within the flap, suggesting that their course is parallel to i ts long axis. The absence of fibrosis or muscle fibre degeneration tog ether with a highly cellular cartilage are indirect indications of goo d vascularity. These data support the reliability of the island chondr omucosal flap from the nose in reconstruction of the eyelid.