Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eyelid reconstruction with lip tissue grafts in four dogs
By Irving, William M et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2025·Eye Clinic for Animals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Free labial mucocutaneous graft for eyelid reconstruction in four dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs needed surgery to remove large growths on their eyelids. After the masses were excised, a special technique was used to reconstruct the eyelid margins by taking tissue from the dogs' lips and transplanting it to the eyelid area. All dogs experienced some minor tissue sloughing and color changes at the donor site, but they healed well over a period of up to eight weeks. The surgeries were successful, restoring both the appearance and function of the eyelids, which helped prevent further eye problems.
People also search for: dog eyelid surgery recovery · eyelid mass removal in dogs · dog eyelid reconstruction procedure
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe a technique for eyelid margin reconstruction following large mass resection utilizing a free labial mucocutaneous graft. METHODS: Four dogs (4 eyes) underwent en bloc eyelid mass excision under general anesthesia. Measurements were made of the mass followed by free labial mucocutaneous graft retrieval, resection of the mass, and then transplantation of retrieved region of labial mucocutaneous tissue into the resulting defect. RESULTS: Three patients underwent eyelid margin reconstruction with a free labial mucocutaneous graft. One patient received a pedicle advancement graft combined with a free labial mucocutaneous graft. In all cases, a length of 120%-150% of the eyelid defect was retrieved from the oral labia. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 weeks to 4 months. All cases had superficial graft necrosis and depigmentation of the donor tissue with total healing time taking up to 8 weeks. All cases had an esthetic and functional reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: This technique allows reconstruction of the majority of the eyelid margin, greater than that which can be closed primarily. Due to tissue sloughing, the healing time can be extended but cosmetic outcomes are good. Eyelid reconstruction utilizing a free labial graft restored a mucocutaneous margin and recreated a functional eyelid, thus avoiding trichiasis or secondary keratitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38204145/