Mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap for complete excision of a malignant dermal and conjunctival melanoma in a dog.

[PURPOSE] To perform a reconstructive blepharoplasty to obtain complete surgical excision of a darkly pigmented raised conjunctival-eyelid mass of the lower eyelid in a dog.

[ANIMAL STUDIED] A 7-year-old, female-spayed, Yorkshire Terrier was evaluated for a slowly progressive, dark brown-to-black raised mass of the lower left eyelid. Sampling of the mass via fine-needle aspirate or incisional biopsy was declined, and an excision of the mass with the goal to obtain complete margins and maintain normal eyelid function with cosmesis was elected.

[PROCEDURES] The lower palpebral conjunctival-eyelid pigmented mass was excised en bloc and the lower eyelid was reconstructed with a mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap.

[RESULTS] Histopathology revealed a malignant dermal and conjunctivalmelanoma excised with complete margins (1-2 mm). Short-term complications included corneal ulceration and eschar formation, which resolved completely at the 1-month follow-up. Long-term complications included mild trichiasis with epiphora and porphyrin staining. Tumor recurrence was not observed during an 8-month follow-up period.

[CONCLUSIONS] The en bloc excision with mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap was successful in obtaining complete surgical margins for a malignant conjunctival-eyelid melanoma. An excellent functional and cosmetic outcome was achieved without tumor recurrence during an 8-month follow-up period. A mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap can be considered as a surgical option for malignant melanoma of the lower eyelid.