Eyelid reconstruction using cartilage grafts from auricular scapha

The main goal, in eyelid reconstruction, is to promote an adequate protecti on to the ocular globe, through the reconstitution of all anatomic plans. I n order to obtain adequate stability, cartilage grafts are often used in th e repair of the internal lamella. Cartilage grafts from auricular scapha in contact with the bulbar conjunctiva were used in this study. Nineteen pati ents with various pathologies had 20 eyelid reconstructions using this tech nique (10 cutaneous tumors, 7 post-traumatic, and 3 cases of lower eyelid r etraction). Local cutaneous flaps (glabella, Mustarde, etc) were used to re construct the external lamella. Epithelialization on the perichondrium (con firmed by the histological examination) occurs between 3 to 4 weeks. The fu nctional and aesthetic result was considered good in 14 cases (70%), accept able in 5 (25%) and poor in one case (5%). The donor area showed no complic ations or deformities. The shape of the scapha allows satisfactory conforma tion of the graft to the curvature of the ocular globe; it is not flat like the nasal septum, and has a smoother curvature than the auricular concha. Furthermore, it is thinner and that is another reason why the aesthetic res ult was superior to the technique previously used. The functional results w ere similar.