Repair of cicatricial ectropion in an infant with harlequin ichthyosis using engineered human skin

PURPOSE: To report the use of an Apligraf (Organogenesis, Inc., Canton, Massachusetts, USA) human skin equivalent for repair of cicatricial ectropion in a patient with harlequin ichthyosis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 6-week-old male child with harlequin ichthyosis and severe bilateral upper eyelid cicatricial ectropion underwent repair with Apligraf grafts. RESULTS: After the initial repair with Apligraf grafts, recurrent bilateral upper eyelid ectropion developed, requiring repeat Apligraf grafting at age 61 days. After the second graft, the eyelids remained well positioned until the child's sudden death from respiratory failure at age 6 months. CONCLUSION: Apligraf human skin equivalent facilitated the repair of cicatricial ectropion in a child with harlequin ichthyosis.