Application of Kuhnt–Szymanowski Procedure to Lower Eyelid Margin Defect after Tumor Resection

BACKGROUND: Lower eyelid reconstruction after tumor removal is always challenging, and full-thickness defects beyond half of the eyelid length require a flap from a part other than the remaining lower eyelid, such as the temporal area or the cheek. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to report our experience of applying Smith-modified Kuhnt–Szymanowski, one of the most popular procedures for paralytic ectropion, for reconstructing oblong full-thickness lower eyelid margin defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed Smith-modified Kuhnt–Szymanowski on 5 cases of oblong full-thickness lower eyelid margin defect after skin cancer removal. The mean age of patients was 80.0 years. The horizontal widths of the defects ranged from half to two-thirds of the lower eyelid length and the vertical width ranged from 5 to 9 mm. RESULTS: We obtained good functional and esthetic results in all cases. No patients developed ectropion or lower eyelid distortion, and all patients were satisfied with their results. CONCLUSIONS: We utilized the procedure for morphological revision as a reconstructive procedure for eyelid margin defect by considering the defect as a morphological deformity of the eyelid margin; thus, donor tissue was not required to fill the defect and we could accomplish the reconstruction simply, firmly, and less invasively.