The smooth surface tunnel porous polyethylene enucleation implant.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe early clinical results with the porous polyethylene smooth surface tunnel (SST) enucleation implant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Uncontrolled, prospective interventional case series of patients undergoing enucleation with placement of the SST implant. This implant consists of a porous polyethylene sphere with a smooth anterior surface containing pre-drilled tunnels to facilitate direct suturing of the rectus muscles to the implant without use of an implant wrap. Postoperatively, socket healing was assessed, and prosthesis and socket motility were evaluated by the surgeon using an ordinal scale (0 = no motility to 4 = excellent motility). RESULTS: Thirty patients received the SST implant, with a mean follow-up of more than 23 months. Two cases of exposure occurred and were managed surgically without the need for explantation. Mean socket motility was 3.1 on a 0 to 4 ordinal scale, with mean prosthesis motility of 2.8. CONCLUSION: The SST implant provides satisfactory socket motility and is generally well tolerated in the anophthalmic socket without the need for wrapping material.

Cutaneous benign mixed tumor (chondroid syringoma) of the eyelid: clinical presentation and management.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation of cutaneous benign mixed tumor of the eyelid and its management options. METHODS: Periocular cases of cutaneous benign mixed tumor were gathered from members of an oculoplastics specialty Internet discussion group. A total of 9 patients are described in this retrospective, interventional case series. The clinical presentation, histopathology, and management of these lesions is reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were typically asymptomatic, presenting with a slowly enlarging, nontender nodule of 2 to 8 years' duration. The lesions ranged from 4 mm to 17 mm in greatest dimension. Four of the lesions were on the eyelid margin, three in the sub-brow area of the upper eyelid, and two in the central lids. All six cases not involving the brow were fixed to the tarsus; one brow lesion was believed to be adherent to the skin. None of the lesions was associated with significant changes of the overlying epidermis, although one lesion showed overlying pigmentation. All patients underwent excisional biopsy for diagnostic or cosmetic reasons. On histopathologic examination, the tumors were biphasic, with an epithelial component exhibiting apocrine or hair follicle differentiation and a myxoid, adipocytic, chondroid, and/or fibrous stroma. The pathologic diagnoses were all consistent with cutaneous benign mixed tumor (chondroid syringoma, pleomorphic adenoma). Follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 12 months, although several patients failed to keep scheduled follow-up appointments. No clinical recurrences were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous benign mixed tumor may occur in the eyelid, and, although uncommon, should be included in the differential diagnosis of firm, nodular eyelid tumors. The histopathologic features are similar to those seen in this tumor type arising in other areas of the body. Preoperative consideration of this diagnostic possibility may allow the surgeon to plan for complete excision, thereby reducing the possibility of recurrence or malignant transformation.

Obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system.

This review covers evolving concepts in lacrimal outflow obstruction. Recent studies have increased our understanding of the surgical anatomy and pathophysiology of the lacrimal drainage system through radiologic, clinical, and microbiologic techniques. While external dacryocystorhinostomy remains an important treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, there have been a number of therapeutic developments worthy of review, including advances in endoscopic and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy, conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy, and the use of mitomycin C in these procedures. In addition, we summarize recent advances in minimally invasive techniques for lacrimal outflow obstruction, including balloon dacryocystoplasty, lacrimal stents, and conjunctivoplasty. Finally, the roles of probing versus irrigation, nasal endoscopy, and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in children are discussed.