Reconstructive surgery by regional flaps after removal of epithelial tumours of the orbitoblepharal region [Chirurgia ricostruttiva tramite lembi regionali dopo asportazione di tumori epiteliali della regione orbito-palpebrale]

Tumours of the skin and soft tissues of the head are particularly demanding for the plastic surgeon and are the subject of study and continuous comparison in clinical practice. Various reconstructive difficulties (dictated by size, anatomic position and type of tumour) are brought to our attention, particularly when the face is concerned. A practical approach to this problem is to divide the face into 'esthetic units', i.e. zones whose (anatomic, functional and cosmetic) characteristics have, where possible, to be respected as a whole. The orbitoblepharal region is an area of particular interest from both a cosmetic and functional viewpoint. Moreover, its proximity to other regions such as the eye, ear, hairline, nose and forehead limit the availability of tissue in this area, thereby precluding certain reconstructive alternatives. In this work, the authors outline the results achieved through the use of regional flaps to fill tissue losses with a diameter of between 2.5 and 4.5 cm, consequent to neoplastic excision in the orbitoblepharal region.