Surgical treatment of eyelid neurofibromas

R. R. Tenzel, J. R. Boynton, G. R. Miller and F. V. Buffam

The classical surgical treatment of eyelid neurofibromas has been careful dissection of the tumor with preservation of much of the surrounding abnormal lid tissues. The reported outcome has been uniformly unfavorable. These tumors infiltrate extensively and are impossible to dissect out completely. However, the lateral location of lid neurofibromas allows "en bloc" resection of most of the tumor including the adjacent involved lid tissues. Levator function in these cases is potentially good and the lid will elevate well if the levator aponeurosis is joined to the tarsus laterally at the time of surgery. The four cases presented here indicate that this procedure is technically easier and may produce more acceptable results than other forms of treatment.