Laissez-Faire: How Far Can You Go?

Abstract

Introduction: Lid defects created by removal of tumors are conventionally repaired by lid reconstruction. An alternative to surgical repair is wound healing by secondary intention. This technique, laissez-faire, as used in the periorbital region, was first described in 1957. Purpose: This report considers how effective this technique is for defects of various sizes and different locations in the periorbital region. Methods: Defects following excision of periocular tumors in 10 Caucasian patients were allowed to heal by laissez-faire. The locations of the defects were the medial canthus (n = 4), lower eyelid (n = 4), lateral canthus (n = 1), and upper lid (n = 1). The functional and cosmetic outcome of the healing process was noted. Results: A good functional and cosmetic outcome were obtained after healing by laissez-faire in 8 of the 10 patients. Of the 2 remaining patients one patient had a large medial canthal and lower lid defect which extended onto the cheek, which healed with residual scarring and medial ectropion. The second patient had a lower lid defect, which healed with a cicatricial ectropion. Of the 2 patients, only one required further surgery. Conclusions: This report shows the technique of healing by laissez-faire can be extended for relatively large defects with good results. The medial canthal region and full-thickness lower lid defects remain the favored locations for healing by secondary intention. In large defects particularly with extension onto the cheek, there is a significant risk of cicatrization, and the possibility of a second corrective operation should be discussed with the patient prior to tumor excision.