Reconstruction of orbital exenteration defects with bilobed forehead flap.

Abstract

To describe the use of bilobed forehead flap for reconstruction of orbital exenteration defect. The medical records of 2 patients in whom orbital exenteration defect repair was performed with bilobed forehead flap were reviewed. In both patients (male, ages 74 and 65years), extended exenteration was performed because of basal cell carcinoma infiltrating the upper and lower eyelids and orbit. One patient had a history of multiple eyelid surgeries and periorbital radiotherapy. In the other, the tumor also involved the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses and nasal dorsum. The bilobed flap was combined with a cheek advancement flap in 1 patient. The excisional defect could be primarily covered in both patients. In 1 patient, a skin graft was needed to cover the forehead donor area defect. In both patients, transient, distal flap ischemia developed after surgery and, in 1 patient, eyebrow malposition required surgical correction at the late period. No other complication developed during follow-up (18 and 26months). The bilobed forehead flap can be effectively used to reconstruct total or extended orbital exenteration defects.