The application of axial superficial temporal artery island flap for repairing the defect secondary to the removal of the lower eyelid basal cell carcinoma

Our aim was to investigate the repair of the defect that follows excision of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the lower eyelid. Skin projections of the superficial temporal artery and its frontal branches were marked using Doppler ultrasonography. The lesion was excised with 0.5–1.5 cm margins. Frozen sections were taken to clarify the diagnosis. The frontal flap was designed according to the preoperative labelling, and was 0.5 cm larger than the defect. The pedicle was 1.0–1.5 cm longer than the distance between the pedicle and the defect, and the width of the pedicle was 3 cm. If the lesion affected the full thickness of the lower eyelid, a conjunctival flap was sutured with the flap. A skin graft was applied when the defect was large. Such defects have been repaired successfully in 10 patients. There was no secondary defect or ectropion postoperatively. The superficial temporal artery frontal branch island flap is a satisfactory method for the repair of a defect secondary to a BCC of the lower eyelid.