Perfusion Monitoring Shows Minimal Blood Flow From the Flap Pedicle to the Tarsoconjunctival Flap

BACKGROUND: A previous study in pigs has shown that the pedicle of the tarsoconjunctival flap does not appear to have adequate blood perfusion. The aim of this study was to monitor perfusion in tarsoconjunctival flaps in patients with large lower eyelid defects resulting from tumor surgery.METHODS: The modified Hughes procedure was performed in 13 patients. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser Doppler velocimetry and laser speckle-contrast imaging.RESULTS: Blood flow decreased gradually from the pedicle base to the end of the flap and was 19% at the flap base, 11% in the middle of the flap, and 4% in the distal end of the flap. The flaps survived, and there was no tissue necrosis.CONCLUSIONS: Tarsoconjunctival tissue survival does not seem to be dependent on a conjunctival flap. Free tarsoconjunctival grafts or composite grafts might be considered as viable alternatives in reconstruction of major eyelid defects