Complications and Recurrences after Excision and Reconstruction of Eyelid Tumours

Abstract

Introduction: The eyelids are a common site for skin tumours and account for 5–10% of all skin tumours. Treatment is mainly surgical and aims to preserve the anatomical structure of the eyelid, its function and not least its aesthetic appearance. Aim: Presentation of recurrence and complication rates of tumour-related eyelid surgery in a cohort of 450 tumours. Results: Analysis of a cohort of 450 tumours operated on revealed 13 (2.8%) operations with recurrences and 32 (7%) with complications. The statistical significance of recurrences was observed for the involved and uninvolved ciliary margin. At the temporal canthus, 23.1% of recurrences occurred compared to 7.7% at the medial canthus. SGC has the highest recurrence rate. Complications include the following: ectropion, dehiscence, gross cicatrix with normal function, retraction, post-radiation damage, sub-graft haemorrhage and graft rejection. Conclusions: The recurrence rate of eyelid tumours is lower than that of complications. The choice of surgical technique determines the frequency of complications and histological control of the excised tissue, as well as the frequency of recurrences.