Outcomes of Propeller Flap in Eyelid Reconstruction

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2021-04, Vol.13 (4)
• Main Authors: Hayat, Nausheen, Jan, Saad, Aslam, Saad, Asghar, Muhammad Sohaib
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Oncology; Ophthalmology; Plastic Surgery
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14509

The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the outcomes of reconstruction in small-to-moderate-sized benign tumors of eyelids by using the propeller flap technique. Propeller flaps have been used by plastic surgeons for facial reconstruction and other body parts. However, very few oculoplastic surgeons have utilized this technique in eyelid reconstructive surgeries. We have substantiated this technique and its outcomes in this case report. It is a case series consisted of two patients reporting in the orbit-oculoplastics clinic with suspicious basal cell carcinoma of eyelids, covering less than half of the eyelid. Both the patients underwent tumor excision and reconstruction, with a cutaneous propeller flap supplied by a pedicle. Both the patients recovered well and without any complication. The specimens removed from both the patients were sent for histopathology and the biopsy results revealed both lesions were margin-free basal cell carcinoma. The reconstruction of eyelid defects is challenging due to the small area and cosmetic appearance. Propeller flaps are a reasonable choice of treatment in small to moderately large-sized defects with minimal complications, yet better cosmetic appearance.