The Guyuron retroauricular island flap for eyelid and eye socket reconstruction in children

A complete loss of palpebral tissue can occur following a congenital malformation, tumour resection or traumatic injury. This article presents the authors’ clinical experience with upper eyelid reconstruction in children using the Guyuron retroauricular island flap. Five cases of severe eyelid defects in children aged between 5 days and 10 years of age (three patients following enucleation and two presenting upper eyelid coloboma of approximately two-thirds of the upper eyelid surface) were treated using this technique. In all cases an optimal closure of the eyelid fissure was achieved and corneal exposure clinically improved. On average, 15% of the initial flap surface was lost. Only one major complication (40% flap necrosis) was reported in the postoperative period. This reconstructive technique can provide complete eyelid reconstruction leaving an inconspicuous scar and causing limited morbidity at the donor zone.