Full-thickness total upper eyelid reconstruction with a lid switch flap and a reverse superficial temporal artery flap.

Background: Reconstruction of the upper eyelid with the same eyelid tissue is desirable because of the ability to achieve eye opening/closing and corneal protection, and a lid switch flap is a useful method. For total defects, almost all of the tissues of the lower eyelid should be used; however, the reconstruction of the lower eyelid donor site has often been undervalued. Reconstruction with an insufficient amount of soft tissue often results in complications such as lagophthalmos and ectropion. Here, we report our method of management of total upper eyelid defects and secondary reconstruction of the lower eyelid donor site.

Method: A lid switch flap is designed on the lower eyelid as the first operation. As important points, the height of the flap of the anterior lamina should be the same but the conjunctiva as the posterior lamina should be harvested up to the conjunctival fornix to obtain sufficient tissue. After switching the flap, the lower eyelid donor site is reconstructed with sufficient tissue: cheek mucosa, conchal cartilage, and a reverse superficial temporal artery flap as a three-layered structure.

Results: Three patients were treated using our method, and we achieved favorable results with a sufficient amount of soft tissue for the reconstruction of the lower eyelid.

Conclusion: Reconstruction of the upper eyelid with sufficient tissue from the lower eyelid is important for eyelid function.