BACKGROUND
The upper lateral cheek bears unique and distinct local
characteristics that are key features in facial aesthetics
and functionality. Its main landmarks are the lower eyelid,
the lateral canthus, and the temporal hairline. When contemplating
treatment options for defects in this area, the surgeon
should take into consideration the possible effects of the reconstructive
method on the preservation of aesthetics and function.
Hence, the goals of a successful reconstruction are correct and
stable lid positioning, inconspicuous malar (zygomatic) scars,
and avoiding disturbance to the temporal hairline.1 There are
several suitable approaches, based on defect size, anatomical
details, and functional concerns. Locally based skin grafts and
flaps provide the best results because of superior color and texture
compared with distant donor sites.2
In general, postoperative complications include mismatched
skin (in terms of color, texture, and thickness), bulgy appearance
of an inappropriately large graft, pincushioning of the flap
(“trap door†deformity), and retraction of the lateral eyelid,
causing lateral lower-eyelid ectropion.1-3 The risk for the latter
complication increases as defects become larger and when the
extent of lid involvement is substantial. We suggest a reconstructive
technique that uses local skin and minimizes the risk
of lower-lid retraction and consequent ectropion.
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
A template of the malar defect is copied to the ipsilateral temple
above a virtual horizontal line from the lateral canthus to the superior
border of the crus of helix. Incisions should be placed within
relaxed skin tension lines4 to conceal scars (Figure 1). The defect
and its outlined copy are joined by superior and inferior outline
“lazy S’s†(Figure 2). The healthy skin is excised and placed in
a saline solution until the reconstruction is completed. The malar
skin is undermined to create a flap that is raised and secured
with deeply placed braided nonabsorbable sutures such as 3-0
TiCronâ„¢ (Covidien, Mansfield, MA) at the level of the temple. Closing
the gap laterally facilitates approximation of the edges of the
original defect while alleviating tension on the lower-eyelid skin,
thereby minimizing the chance of ectropion (Mustardé principle5).
If despite careful preoperative planning the final defect proves too
large for a tension-free closure or lower-lid ectropion becomes an
impending risk, the healthy skin excised from the temporal template
can be grafted as reinforcement (Figure 3).
RESULTS
Between 2005 and 2011, 7 patients (6 male, 1 female) underwent
reconstruction of malar defects with the temporal suspension
flap. Two patients required a combination of a temporal suspension
flap and a salvage skin graft, one of whom underwent a
canthopexy at a later stage. All patients had excellent cosmetic
and functional results.
DISCUSSION
When reconstructing defects in the proximity of the lower eyelid,
the surgeon should aim toward achieving correct height and
stable lid margins. The malar skin texture is smooth and telangiectatic,
giving it a ruby red appearance. It also has a convex contour,
which makes it shiny when illuminated from any direction. There-