DOCTORS AT THE NATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH RADIOLOGICAL CANTRE RESTORED EYELID FUNCTION FOR PATIENT AND PREVENT EYE LOSS

Several years ago, Lyudmila Ivanovna was diagnosed with a malignant skin tumor on her cheek. The surgery she underwent eliminated the cancer, but unfortunately, the treatment had serious consequences for her facial appearance. A severe displacement of the cheek and deformation of the lower eyelid tissues meant that her eye could no longer close and be protected by the eyelids properly. This caused corneal drying and created a risk of vision loss and even loss of the eyeball.

«This complex condition is called postoperative cicatricial lagophthalmos and ectropion (eyelid eversion)»,- explains Dmitry Davydov, MD, Professor and Head of the Department of Oncoplastic Surgery at the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute (branch of the NMRRC). «To address it, timely microsurgical correction is required. This involves relocating a soft tissue block and fixing it to the bone structures, as well as creating a new eyelid using a tissue flap».

Such operations require special attention to aesthetic aspects. To reconstruct the eyelid, surgeons use tissue taken from the patient’s post‑auricular area. This approach ensures the eyelid looks as natural as possible and fully restores the protective function of the eye.

«Our patients’ rehabilitation proceeds quite favorably»,- emphasizes Dmitry Viktorovich. «We use cosmetic sutures, which ensure a reliable aesthetic and functional outcome. Our team closely monitors the graft integration process: the sutures are removed after just one week, and within a couple of months, the graft — and with it, the eyelid — becomes virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding tissues».

Today, when many oncological diseases can be successfully treated, the quality of life for patients after completing primary treatment becomes especially important. Reconstructive plastic microsurgery not only helps eliminate functional impairments but also restores patients’ usual appearance and self‑confidence.

To schedule a consultation with a plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon, please contact the call center: +7 (495) 150‑11‑22.