Transconjunctival incision for total maxillectomy--an alternative for subciliary incision.

A subciliary incision may be associated with various complications of the lower eyelid when it is used during a total maxillectomy. The use of the transconjunctival incision instead is an alternative in suitable patients. The records of 17 patients were reviewed in whom a transconjunctival incision was used during total maxillectomy. These included 13 in whom the Weber-Ferguson incision was used, and 4 who had a sublabial incision. There was mild conjunctival oedema in all the cases during the immediate postoperative period but it did not last for more than two days. Four patients had mild to moderate oedema of the lid that resolved within two days. One had mild ectropion with transient epiphora, which was caused by early removal of the medial canthal sutures. We found the approach to be cosmetically acceptable as it avoids a scar in the subciliary region. The transconjunctival incision can be used in place of the subciliary incision for lateral exposure during total maxillectomy. There are few complications associated with the lower lid, and it has good cosmetic results; if it is combined with a sublabial incision in suitable patients, the maxillectomy is virtually scar-free.