Basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid: Results of an initial surgical management.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to assess the results of surgical management of palpebral basal cell carcinomas (BCC) followed by a second line treatment discussed during a Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MTM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-centred study includes all surgically-treated basal cell carcinomas of the eyelids between January 2005 and January 2015. After initial surgery, the cases were systematically discussed during a multidisciplinary team meeting in order to assess the need for additional treatment. Data relative to the patient, tumor and management were pulled from the medical record. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included, with a mean age of 74 years. Among the patients, 151 underwent pentagonal resection of the tumor, and 20 patients had a superficial excision. After surgical management, 120 patients (70.2%) were considered to have sufficient free margins. The other 51 patients (29.8%) had insufficient margins due to remaining tumor cells (38 patients) or free margins less than 1mm. Among these 51 patients with insufficient margins, 19 received a second surgical treatment, 17 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, and 15 were followed closely with an intensive biannual follow-up program. No patients were lost to follow-up. With a mean follow-up of 42 months (min. 6 months-max. 128 months), 7 out of 171 patients (4.1%) developed a local recurrence. The mean time between surgical management and recurrence was 24 months. The recurrence rate was higher for the group of patients with a recurrent tumor (11.6%) than for the group of patients referred for initial management (2.8%). Incomplete resection was also associated with a higher recurrence rate (3 recurrences out of 51 patients). DISCUSSION: The management of basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid is first and foremost surgical with the goal of complete resection confirmed by histopathological analysis. The histological analyses (Mohs micrographic surgery, frozen section technic, paraffin fixation) and recommended sizes of the margins can vary in the literature, with recurrence rates from 1.8% to 9.5%. CONCLUSION: In our experience, multidisciplinary management of BCC of the eyelid, including initial macroscopic surgery, histopathological analysis stating the histological type and size of the margins, along with additional treatment discussed in a MTM, allows for a recurrence rate of 4.1%.

Outcomes after surgical resection of lower eyelid tumors and reconstruction using a nasal chondromucosal graft and an upper eyelid myocutaneous flap.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical excision of large malignant lower eyelid tumors may cause important full-thickness eyelid defects. The reconstruction of such defects must restore the physiologic function of the eyelid and also re-establish an acceptable aesthetic result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the outcomes of full-thickness excision of tumors extending over half of the horizontal lid length, followed by reconstruction using a nasal chondromucosal graft (coming from the ipsilateral ala of the nose) and an upper eyelid myocutaneous flap. Histological analysis of the specimen identified the tumor type and surgical margins for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were operated using this reconstruction technique between March 2009 and June 2015: 17 basal cell carcinomas, 3 spindle cell carcinomas and 5 conjunctival melanomas (out of which 2 were associated with lentigo maligna). Mean duration of follow-up after surgery was respectively 36, 41 and 17 months for each of these 3 tumor types. We found a single local tumor recurrence and this was a basal cell carcinoma in a xeroderma pigmentosum patient. After surgery, none of the patients had lagophthalmos or ocular surface complications. Only 4 patients had a 1mm scleral show postoperatively; 3 other patients developed a small retraction of the eyelid after adjuvant radiotherapy and a 1mm scleral show occurred. CONCLUSION: In malignant tumors, complete surgical excision with histological margins adapted to tumor type prevents local recurrence in most cases. Our repair strategy of nasal chondromucosal graft and skin-muscle flap for large inferior eyelid defects provides good functional and aesthetic results.