Contractures,
ectropion and
scarring, the most common sequelae of skin grafts after eyelid
burn injuries, can result in corneal exposure, corneal ulceration and even
blindness. Split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts are commonly used for the treatment of acute eyelid
burns. Plasma exudation and
infection are common early complications of eyelid
burns, which decrease the success rate of grafts.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present the cases of eight patients, two Chinese women and six Chinese men. The first Chinese woman was 36 years old, with 70% body surface area second or third degree flame
burn injuries involving her eyelids on both sides. The other Chinese woman was 28 years old, with
sulfuric acid burns on her face and third degree
burn on her eyelids. The six Chinese men were aged 21, 31, 38, 42, 44, and 55 years, respectively. The 38-year-old patient was transferred from the ER with 80% body surface area second or third degree flame
burn injuries and third degree
burn injuries to his eyelids. The other five men were all patients with flame
burn injuries, with 7% to 10% body surface area third degree
burns and eyelids involved. All patients were treated with a modified
surgical procedure consisting of separation and loosening of the musculus orbicularis oculi between tarsal plate and septum orbital, followed by grafting a large full-thickness skin graft in three days after
burn injury. The use of our modified
surgical procedure resulted in 100% successful eyelid grafting on first attempt, and all our patients were in good condition at six-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: