Correction of cicatricial ectropion by autologous fat graft.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, treatment of burn scars with lipofilling has shown encouraging clinical results in terms of texture, color, softness, and quality of skin patterns. This clinical application has been widened to include treatment for scars resulting from surgical correction of cicatricial ectropion. In fact, although standard surgery with flaps and skin grafts can grant significant functional and cosmetic improvements, these often are not complete because of secondary surgical scars.

METHODS: The case of a 43-year-old man with cicatricial outcomes from chemical burns and subsequent surgical repair of medial ectropion in the lower eyelid is reported. The scar area was treated with injection of adipose tissue harvested from abdominal subcutaneous fat and processed according to Coleman's technique.

RESULTS: At the 1-year follow-up assessment after lipostructure, the patient no longer reported xeroftalmia and epiphora. He had experienced complete functional recovery with excellent cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONS: Lipostructure of cicatricial ectropion seems to complete and improve the results of the standard surgical approach, and its long-lasting benefits are in keeping with the theoretical basis of this procedure.