Objective anthropometric analysis of eyelid reconstruction procedures

Before undergoing facial tumour resection and reconstruction, especially of the eyelids, patients are worried about their postoperative appearance. “Eye-balling” of postoperative results may not be sufficient to adequately judge surgical results. Reference anthropometric measurements for the eyelids are available.We present an evaluation of a series of tumour resection and reconstructive procedures of the eyelids on standardized photographs based on reference anthropometric data. 51 patients underwent eyelid reconstruction with different established techniques after resection of local eyelid tumours. Analysis included intercanthal width, biocular width, eye fissure width, eye fissure height, lid sulcus height, upper lid height, upper iris coverage, lower iris coverage, position of cornea to palpebra inferior, scleral show, ectropion, and canthal tilt. We clearly differentiated between resections including eyelid margin or not.Time (p = 0.04) and surgery (p = 0.03) showed a significant association with decreased values of lower eyelid coverage. Resection of the eyelid margin showed no significant influence on the values investigated.In all the patients analysed the indices were reproducible and reliable. Not surprisingly an association between surgery and lower eyelid retraction was found. Resection of the eyelid margin does not seem to cause a greater risk of eyelid deformity. The standard measurements described are accurate and objective to evaluate postoperative results.