Hard palate mucoperiosteal graft for posterior lamellar reconstruction of the upper eyelid: histologic rationale

Abstract

Reconstruction of full-thickness upper eyelid defects often requires repair of both the anterior lamella (skin and orbicularis oculis muscle) and the posterior lamella (tarsus and conjunctiva). Various autogenous grafts have been used for posterior lamellar reconstruction, but it is still unclear which material is most suitable for repairing the posterior lamella. We report a patient in whom a subtotal defect of upper eyelid was reconstructed with a bipedicled myocutaneous flap lined by hard palate mucoperiosteum. We also examined tarsoconjunctiva, labial mucosa, hard palate mucoperiosteum, and auricular cartilage histologically and assessed the histologic features of these tissues as substitutes for the posterior lamella. An even and stable upper eyelid was formed by our method of reconstruction. A mucoperiosteal graft from the hard palate bears a close resemblance to the tarsoconjunctiva histologically because it contains both fibrous connective tissue and a mucous membrane. The graft took completely and there was no donor site morbidity or postoperative complications. A hard palate mucoperiosteal graft may be an optimal substitute for the posterior lamella of the upper eyelid.