For skin grafts in the upper eyelids after too much skin removal, would partial or full thickness grafts be used?

Question

To cure lagophthalmos from over-excised skin.

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear eyelid123Thank you for your question!  There are multiple options to help with eyelid closure- shaping of the brow, botox to brow elevators, time to allow skin relaxation, tarsorrhaphy, and fillers.A consultation would be helpful in giving a good opinion.  The skin graft typically is a full thickness type and harvested from an area where the skin is very thin- to match the eyelid skin.  Sometimes more than one procedure is needed in this type of surgery.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Eyelid reconstruction would typically be performed with a full thickness graft. This is done to minimize how much the graft contracts/ shrinks as well as to create better color/ texture match with your native eyelid skin. Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

If an eyelid graft is needed then a full thickness graft is used to minimize post op contraction of the graft. The graft is best taken from the upper portion of the body to give the best color match. Two common sites are behind ear and neck.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Are you sure you don't have enough skin?  Can you manually close your eyes with your fingers?  If you can you have enough skin but the muscles don't work correctly .  Usually nerve issue.  If you can not manually close would need skin graft.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Again, your issues may not resolve with lengthening of the eyelids.  I suspect that your issues is loss of motor nerve function to the upper eyelid orbicularis.  This means that the eyelid muscle that closes the eye and blinks the eye does not generate enough force to do this effectively.  Be careful of talking yourself into corrective surgeries that are not going to work.

For skin grafts in the upper eyelids after too much skin removal, would partial or full thickness grafts be used?

Answers (9)

Answer: Lagophthalmos

Answer: Lagophthalmos

Answer: If skin grafts are used, they are full thickness skin grafts.

Answer: If skin grafts are used, they are full thickness skin grafts.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

For skin grafts in the upper eyelids after too much skin removal, would partial or full thickness grafts be used?

Answers (9)

Answer: Lagophthalmos

Answer: Lagophthalmos

Answer: If skin grafts are used, they are full thickness skin grafts.

Answer: If skin grafts are used, they are full thickness skin grafts.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.