tissue expansion: a new modality for eyelid reconstructive surgery

for the first time we have used eyelid skin expansion to facilitate reconstruction of selected patients with shortage of lid skin (e.g. for burn scar and after excision of tumors). this method allows for a controlled increase in skin, need for reconstruction, and offers many advantages over grafted skin transfered from a distance. color, texture, thinness, delicacy and adnexal structures are aesthetically and functionally better matched. we used expanders in four patients with eyelid skin shortage to prepare suitable flaps for reconstruction successfully.