A Case of Full-thickness Lower Eyelid Reconstruction by a Tenzel Flap / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Because the width of the intact eyelid is narrow, tumor removal with a 5 mm or greater margin is not amenable to direct closure. A semicircular flap, first described by Tenzel in 1975, has been widely used for eyelid reconstruction, although it may be unfamiliar to dermatologists. The flap is made by creating a semicircular skin-muscle flap laterally, performing a lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis, cutting the lateral attachments of the septum and then advancing the flap medially to close the defect. The advantage of the semicircular flap is that defect closure is possible while maintaining the lid and its lashes. In addition, it is a one-step procedure, which is simple and efficient. We present a case of basal cell carcinoma that involved the skin of the left lower eyelid. The defect measured 0.9 cm in breadth. After a wide excision, it was successfully managed using a Tenzel flap with excellent cosmetic and functional results.