The tarsal sandwich: a new technique in lateral canthoplasty.

PURPOSE: Trauma and infection sometimes produce lower lid malpositions that are difficult to repair cosmetically with standard canthoplasty techniques. A new variation is described.

METHODS: Surgical techniques of the tarsal strip canthoplasty and of lateral tarsorrhaphy are combined into the tarsal sandwich.

RESULTS: Representative cases with preoperative and postoperative photos are presented.

CONCLUSION: The sandwich technique allows the surgeon more flexibility in achieving the necessary vertical lift of the lateral canthus in difficult cases of entropion, ectropion, and lagophthalmos.