The buccal plug: A technique for management of focal cicatricial entropion and trichiasis.

Abstract

Cicatricial entropion can be challenging to manage, and surgery may lead to anterior lamellar and focal lash loss or tarsal scarring. We describe a surgical technique to address focal cicatricial entropion that avoids conjunctival incisions and minimizes changes to the aesthetic contour of the eyelid. Four patients underwent surgery with a square portion of the posterior row of eyelash follicles being excised anterior to the tarsus. A buccal mucous membrane graft was then harvested and inserted between the lamella. The plug served to recreate a mucosal membrane at the posterior reflection of the eyelid and separate the anterior and posterior lamella mechanically. With a mean follow-up of 5.16 months, no patients experienced regrowth of lashes at the graft site, and corneal irritation from aberrant eyelashes was abated. The buccal plug technique provides an aesthetically minded, less invasive approach to surgical management of localized entropion with trichiasis.