The role of flaps in the management of contracted eye sockets.

Based on the pathology of the eye socket and periorbital deficiencies, three distinct classes of patients can be recognized: I. Those who solely have eye socket deficiency with normal orbital and periorbital tissue. The suggested surgical treatment for this class of patient would be a skin or mucosa graft. II. Patients who have inadequate lining, as well as orbital volume deficiency. The preferred reconstructive approach includes cartilage (rib or ear) with or without fat graft, and skin or mucosa grafts for eye socket expansion. III. For failed reconstructions of classes I and II or for patients with severe orbital and periorbital deficiencies, the choice is one of three flaps: If the superficial temporal vessels and the postauricular skin is intact, the ideal flap is postauricular fasciocutaneous. If the postauricular skin has previously been used yet the superficial vasculature is intact, a secondary flap is the better choice. In cases where both postauricular skin and superficial temporal vessels have been sacrificed the recommended flap is a free flap with microvascular anastomosis.