The Cutler-Beard clamp for lid reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the use of the Cutler-Beard transmarginal rotation entropion clamp (Karl Ilg & Co., St. Charles, IL) in patients undergoing the Cutler-Beard procedure for repair of eyelid defects after tumor excision or trauma. Design Prospective, noncomparative case series. Participants Twenty-five patients undergoing the Cutler-Beard procedure. Results The Cutler-Beard clamp (Karl Ilg & Co., St. Charles, IL) helps avoid the problems of a commonly used chalazion clamp. The clamp allows a skin orbicularis muscle incision to be combined with a conjunctival tarsal incision without the need to remove the clamp. It is also helpful in creating each of these incisions 4 mm from the eyelid margin to spare the marginal artery, which, if injured, could lead to loss of the eyelid margin. The clamp blades have multiple teeth to stabilize the eyelid and avoid slippage of the clamp. Main outcome measures The incidence of intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusions The transmarginal rotation clamp or Cutler-Beard clamp allows for the creation of a precise incision 4 mm from the eyelid margin with a high probability of avoiding injury to the marginal artery and is superior to traditional chalazion clamps.