Background and aims There is a paucity of data in the literature on the surgical management of conjunctival dermolipoma. In this study, we report outcomes of a partial mass excision technique (excision of the portion visible when eyes open) and free conjunctival autograft.

Methods Medical records of 13 patients with dermolipoma who had undergone partial mass excision at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1999 to May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. After resection of the visible part of tumour, including the overlying thick surface conjunctiva, the conjunctival defects were reconstructed with free conjunctival autograft harvested from the contralateral superior bulbar area.

Results The median postoperative follow-up period was 5 months (range 1–84 months). The cosmetic surgical results were satisfactory in all 13 patients. Three patients showed thick texture on the grafted surgical area postoperatively, but there was no significant scar formation resulting in restrictive symblepharon or eye movement limitation. There were no other significant complications, such as blepharoptosis, diplopia or keratoconjunctivitissicca during the follow-up period.

Conclusions Partial mass (visible part only) excision, including that of the overlying thick conjunctiva, and free conjunctival autograft from the opposite eye, is a relatively simple and effective technique for the surgical management of conjunctival dermolipoma.