Lid Laceration
- Traumatic slicing of lid
- Usually caused by trauma from sharp objects, but blunt objects can cause it too
- Prompt and skilled surgical repair is critical to protect eye, maintain good tear flow, restore cosmetic appearance
- Affected lids appear torn and displaced
- Hemorrhage and swelling may conceal site and extent of wound
- Complicated lacerations may extend through lid margin, displace tissue, or involve tear drainage system in lower lid
- Nothing—challenge is to find laceration in swollen and distorted lids
- Leave small lacerations remote from lid margins alone to heal on their own
- Let ophthalmologists repair large, deep lacerations and those that involve lid margin or lacrimal drainage system
- Suture other lacerations with 6-0 interrupted sutures (nonabsorbable in adults, absorbable in children)
- Inadequately repaired large lacerations or lid-margin lacerations leave poor appearance and may lead to poor lid closure
- Inadequately repaired lacerations through lacrimal drainage system may lead to persistent tearing
- Delayed repair may lead to scarring or infection