Oral Presentation NZAPS and ANZSOPS Joint Scientific Meeting

A simple novel technique to repair exposed porous orbital implants: long-term outcome (627)

Kent Chow 1 , Khami Satchi 2 , Alan McNab 2 3
  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
  2. Orbital, Plastic and Lacrimal Clinic, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
  3. Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Background

Implant exposure is the most common serious complication of porous orbital implants, and often requires surgical repair. Most of the repair techniques described to date came from case series with limited follow-up durations. This study aims to demonstrate a new repair technique using a bulbar conjunctival pedicle flap and a labial mucous membrane patch graft, as well as to report its long-term results.

 

Method

Retrospective chart review

 

Results

Twenty-three patients were included. The maximal defect dimension ranged from 2 to 18 mm. Sixteen patients (70%) also received a banked human scleral patch graft during their repair. The mean follow-up was 130 months (range 29 to 267 months). Eighteen patients (78%) were successfully treated with one repair surgery. At the final follow-up, 21 patients (91%) could comfortably wear a prosthetic eye, and 18 patients (78%) reported satisfactory cosmesis. Two patients (9%) developed small conjunctival cysts that were successfully excised.

 

Conclusion

The combination of a bulbar conjunctival pedicle flap and a labial mucous membrane patch graft is a simple but effective technique in salvaging exposed porous orbital implants. Its long-term results are promising.