Delayed Reconstruction after Eyelid Tumor Excision

Abstract

The aim of this study is to report the feasibility of one to two weeks delayed reconstruction after eyelid tumor excision. A retrospective case-series study was designed. Fourteen consecutive outpatients referred to a tertiary referral eye center for eyelid tumor management were enrolled. The intervention imvolved eyelid tumor excision (with four millimeters surrounding clinically tumor-free tissue), compressive patching of the excised area until reconstruction (with or without a therapeutic contact lens), extensive histological work-up to assess histological tumor clearance, and reconstruction one week after excision (in a couple of patients after two weeks when further excision was necessary to achieve tumor clearance). Excision and closure were performed by a single external trained oculoplastic surgeon (IOH) with a day per week (Fridays) operating slot. As outcome we assessed whether such an approach has led before, during, or after eyelid reconstruction to unusual major adverse events (follow-up time: 18 - 36 months). Delaying up to one week, in some cases even two weeks, reconstruction after eyelid tumor excision was not associated with any unusual major adverse events before, during, or after surgery. When necessary, after eyelid tumor excision, it is possible to delay for one week or even for two weeks reconstruction, apparently without experiencing major unusual adverse events.