Buccal fat pedicle flap with a delayed tarsoconjunctival flap for lower eyelid retraction: a new surgical methodology.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective case review is to present a novel surgical technique used in the treatment of recalcitrant lower eyelid retraction.

Methods: This study was performed as a retrospective case review of 4 patients who have failed standard conservative surgical interventions for lower eyelid retraction repair. 3 patients developed lower eyelid retraction following surgical intervention for orbital trauma and 1 patient developed lower eyelid retraction in the setting of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The surgical technique was identical in each patient and performed by an oculofacial plastic surgeon, sometimes together with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Follow-up results for all patients were assessed at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.

Results: All four patients demonstrated initial improvement in lower eyelid position, fullness, and height. A common finding was mild lateral postoperative entropion, which was easily overcome with an upper eyelid tarsoconjunctival flap. There were no surgical complications sustained in any of the cases.

Conclusions: This retrospective case review provides a novel surgical option for the correction of recalcitrant lower eyelid retraction. The excellent vascularity provided by this flap, location, and easy access support its use. A prospective study comparing alternative solutions would be useful in comparing the buccal fat pad vascularized pedicle to alternative methods used to correct refractory and cicatricial lower eyelid retraction.