A novel lower eyelid reconstruction using a skin-tarsoligamentous sling to prevent postoperative drooping deformity: Quantitative analyses using drooping index and angular difference in canthal tilt

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Lower eyelid reconstruction using skin flaps sometimes results in undesirable deformities due to postoperative flap drooping. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of a novel procedure for reconstructing the skin-tarsoligamentous sling of the lower eyelid. We included 37 patients who underwent anterior lamellar reconstruction with a cheek rotation flap for full-thickness lower eyelid defect. They were divided into two groups: Group A included 19 patients who underwent tarsoligamentous sling reconstruction with a fascia lata strip and buccal mucosa grafting, while Group B comprised 18 patients who underwent skin-tarsoligamentous sling reconstruction using an additional combination of a periosteal flap and de-epithelialized triangle flap at the lateral canthal region, representing our novel approach. To evaluate the severity of postoperative deformities, we used the drooping index, the ratio of drooping compared to the healthy side, along with the angular difference in canthal tilt, obtained between the reconstructed and healthy sides, using photographs taken ≥6 months post-reconstruction. Group B demonstrated superior outcomes, with mean drooping indices of 1.13 compared to 1.33 in Group A (P = 0.031) and mean angular differences in canthal tilt of -0.73° compared to -2.45° in Group A (P = 0.021). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.042). Furthermore, patients with a drooping index of < 1.2 and an angular difference in canthal tilt ≥-1.0° exhibited higher satisfaction scores. Our novel approach to lower eyelid reconstruction using a skin-tarsoligamentous sling yielded improved aesthetic outcomes, fewer complications, and higher patient satisfaction.