Use of the Masquerade Flap in Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome and surgical treatment options.

METHODS: Case report and literature review.

RESULTS: A prematurely born male baby presented with severe ablepharon, hypertelorism, macrostomia, low-set dysplastic ears, broad nasal bridge, coarse and redundant body skin, absent scalp and body hair, lax abdominal wall, absent nipples, camptodactyly, and ambiguous genitalia. Despite intensive ocular lubrication, severe exposure keratopathy developed within the first days after birth. The eyes were closed using masquerade flaps for 6 weeks. In a secondary procedure at the adjusted age of 3 weeks, the flaps were partially divided, and visual input and development were successfully achieved, while maintaining corneal protection.

CONCLUSIONS: We present a rare case of a prematurely born infant with a severe phenotype of ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome, surgically treated with masquerade flaps to preserve corneal health and allow bilateral visual input.