A study of basal cell carcinoma of the inner canthus, 1967-72.

Basal cell carcinoma was the commonest malignant lesion at the inner canthus. Reconstruction following excision was most commonly achieved with a post-auricular full thickness graft. Provided excision is adequate, a local flap is a good alternative. There is no evidence that the use of a graft increased recurrence, but it may have allowed earlier detection. The primary recurrence rate after primary surgical excision was 3.6 per cent. Recurrence occurred in several cases when histology indicated incomplete excision. Follow-up under these circumstances should be continued for up to 10 years. When adequate primary surgical excision was performed, there was no evidence that rodent ulcer of the inner canthus behaves differently or has a worse prognosis than at other sites. There has probably been undue concern in the past about epiphora following resection of the lacrimal drainage system.