Island pedicle flaps for medial canthus repair.

Background: The medial canthus is a frequent site for skin cancer and reconstruction after Mohs surgery can prove to be challenging. In the literature various reconstruction methods are recommended for these cases. Flap reconstructions are mostly transposition flaps from the glabella, skin with different properties from that in the canthal region, hence mostly requiring correction in a second stage.

Objectives: To ascertain the utility of a different reconstruction method, applying island pedicle flaps for medial canthal lesions and obviating the necessity for second-stage corrections.

Methods: A review was undertaken of the medical records and photographs of patients who had a pedicle island flap reconstruction for medial canthal defects after Mohs surgery. There were four different possibilities: a pedicle island flap from the cheek, the back of the nose or the glabella or a combination of these flaps.

Results: Sixteen patients were reconstructed by pedicle island flaps for defects of the medial canthal area. A follow-up for all patients after 1 year indicated that all patients showed good to excellent results. No cases of web deformation and ectropion were found.

Conclusions: This flap is not mentioned in textbooks in reference to the reconstruction of canthal lesions and its value for this particular location is probably underestimated.