Surgical Treatment of Eyelid Cancer with Special Reference to Tarsoconjunctival Flaps: A follow-up on 193 patients

Abstract

203 cancers of the cyelid were operated on in 193 patients. 65% of the tumours occurred in males and the peak incidence was at 75 years. 60% afflicted the lower eyelids and 21% the medial canthi. Basal cell carcinoma were found in 182 specimens and spinocellular carcinoma in only 8. Malignant melanoma, Meibomian gland carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma appeared each in one patient, the latter representing the only fatal case in eyelid cancer. All cancers were excised with a free margin around 5 mm. The standard procedures of reconstruction of the eyelid defect were a full-thickness skin graft in cases where conjunctiva and tarsus could be preserved (97 cases), and a tarsoconjunctival flap in full-thickness defects of the lower eyelid (58 cases). Other methods used were wedge excision and direct approximation in very small lesions involving the lid margin, an infratarsal island flap from the lower eyelid for medium-sized to large defects in the upper lid and a forehead or scalp flap after exenteration of the orbit. 18/203 cancers recurred and 12 of these were primarily regarded as radically treated. Seven of the latter were reoperated after more than 3 years and may in fact be new tumours. No metastases were found. The various reconstructive procedures are discussed in detail.