Factors affecting anophthalmic socket reconstruction outcomes using autologous oral mucosal graft.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have reported surgical outcomes that are defined by strict criteria following grade 2 or 3 socket reconstruction using an oral mucosal graft (OMG). We aimed to determine factors influencing surgical outcomes of anophthalmic socket reconstruction using OMG in patients with grade 2 or 3 socket contractures. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent socket reconstruction with autologous OMG between January 2007 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The successful outcome was defined as an eye prosthesis wearing without experiencing displacement and the absence of any re-operations or additional surgeries following socket reconstruction. Factors affecting surgical outcomes were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 male and 22 female patients (mean age: 40.2 ± 17.2 years) were included. The median duration of socket contracture was 21.5 years. Grade 2 and 3 socket contractures, based on Tawfik's classification, were reported in 20 and 17 patients, respectively. Twenty-eight and eight patients underwent socket reconstruction using OMG alone and OMG combined with a hard palate graft, respectively. The success rates of grades 2 and 3 socket contracture reconstruction were 80.0% and 52.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only grade 3 contractures were predictive of worse outcomes. At the final visit (mean follow-up: 6.3 years), 34 patients (91.9%) could wear their eye prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: Socket reconstruction using autologous OMG can provide acceptable results in grade 2 and 3 contractures; however, satisfactory results were more significantly reported in grade 2 than in grade 3 contractures.

Customized orbital implant versus 3D preformed titanium mesh for orbital fracture repair: A retrospective comparative analysis of orbital reconstruction accuracy.

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of inferomedial orbital fracture restoration using customized orbital implant versus 3D preformed titanium mesh. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent surgery with customized orbital implants and intraoperative navigation, while group 2 was treated using 3D preformed titanium meshes with preoperative virtual surgical planning (VSP) and intraoperative navigation. Reconstruction accuracy was assessed by: (1) comparing the postoperative reconstruction mesh position with the preoperative VSP; and (2) measuring the difference between the reconstructed and unaffected orbital volume. Pre- and postoperative diplopia and enophthalmos were also evaluated. Fifty-two patients were enrolled (25 in group 1 vs 27 in group 2). The mean difference between final plate position and ideal digital plan was 0.62 mm (SD = 0.235) in group 1 and 0.69 mm (SD = 0.246) in group 2, with no statistical difference between the groups (p = 0.282). The mean volume differences between the reconstructed and unaffected orbits were 0.95 ml and 1.02 ml in group 1 and group 2, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.860). Overall clinical improvements, as well as complications, were similar. 3D preformed titanium meshes can reconstruct inferomedial fractures with the same accuracy as customized implants. Therefore, in clinical practice, it is recommended to use 3D preformed meshes for this type of fracture due to their excellent results and the potential for reducing time and costs.

Socket outcomes following enucleation for uveal melanoma: post enucleation socket syndrome can be challenging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate socket outcomes of enucleation for uveal melanoma. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review conducted in December 2022 of all patients who underwent enucleation surgery for uveal melanoma between 2010 and 2015 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, to evaluate socket outcomes including completion of revision surgery, type of surgery, and completion of multiple revision surgeries, and potential associations. RESULTS: Between June 2010 and December 2015, 72 patients underwent enucleation for uveal melanoma in the ocular oncology service, including 25 females and 47 males, mean age 65, range 11-91 years old. There were 68 primary enucleations and 4 secondary enucleations. Complete follow-up data was available for mean 4 years, range 1-11 years. Fourteen patients underwent further surgery, including one exenteration for local recurrence. Oculoplastic surgery (n = 6, 8%), implant exposure repair (n = 3, 6%), and orbit volume expanding surgery (n = 4, 6%) were also performed. Eight patients (11%) underwent one further surgery and five patients (7%) underwent a series of procedures. There was a significant association with younger age at enucleation (age <65) with undergoing further surgery (p = 0.03, Fisher's Exact Test (FET)), and also an association of younger age with undergoing multiple further surgeries (p = 0.02, FET). There was no association found with other predictor variables, including primary versus secondary enucleation status. Most patients (75%) with PESS underwent more than one surgery. CONCLUSION: Post enucleation surgery 82% of patients did not undergo further surgery, but younger patients were more likely to undergo anophthalmic socket revision or oculoplastic surgery. Management of post enucleation socket syndrome was challenging and usually involved a series of procedures.

Infection of a Nylon Foil Orbital Implant Due to Fusarium brachygibbosum and Lomentospora prolificans After Intranasal Methamphetamine Use.

The authors describe a case of nylon foil implant infection caused by Fusarium brachygibbosum , and Lomentospora prolificans following medial orbital wall fracture repair in the setting of postoperative nasal methamphetamine use. A 61-year-old male presented with OS pain and swelling after a physical assault on his face. A CT of maxillofacial bones without contrast showed a moderately comminuted fracture of the medial wall of the left orbit with depression of fracture fragments into the left ethmoid air cells. Six days after repair of the medial wall fracture, the patient returned with a new onset headache, OS pain, and swelling to the left medial canthal area. He reported snorting methamphetamine approximately 48 hours before his current presentation. CT imaging showed fat stranding and soft tissue density in the extraconal space adjacent to the left medial rectus muscle and chronic fracture deformity of lamina papyracea with approximately 4 mm of medial displacement of the fracture fragments. The patient showed little clinical improvement after 48 hours of intravenous antibiotics, which led to the removal of the nylon foil implant by a left orbitotomy. Intraoperative tissue cultures grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus , F. brachygibbosum , and Lomentospora (Scedosporium) prolificans . The patient was subsequently transitioned to oral clindamycin 600 mg three times daily and voriconazole 200 mg two times daily. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to document an association between snorted methamphetamine and a fungal infection of an orbital implant.

Surgical outcomes of unwrapped acrylic orbital implants: A review of 192 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report the results in a series of acrylic orbital implant placements without the use of wrapping material. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of the patients who underwent enucleation with acrylic orbital implant insertion without scleral wrapping at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland, between 2013 and 2020. RESULTS: There were 192 patients: 102 women and 90 men, mean age: 60 years (range: 13-90 years). In the majority of cases, the reason for enucleation was uveal melanoma (148 patients-77.1%), followed by secondary glaucoma in 22 patients (11.5%) and painful, phthisical eye in 16 (8.3%). The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 1-96 months). The stability of the implants was satisfactory in the majority of cases, and there were no cases of implant migration identified during the study period. We noted a total of 4 (2%) implant exposures. Other postoperative complaints included eyelid malposition-21 patients (11%), Tenon's capsule thinning (15 patients-7.8%) and post-enucleation eye socket syndrome (PEES)-7 patients (3.6%). The rate of postoperative complications was associated only with a history of previous ocular surgery (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The stability and functional outcomes of unwrapped acrylic orbital implants in this group of patients were satisfactory during the follow-up period.

Quality of life and psychological evaluation of patients after anaplastology.

A comprehensive questionnaire with 43 questions was designed to evaluate quality of life, based on rehabilitation with a facial prosthesis. Each patient's psychological situation was assessed using the validated questionnaire and associated scales. Different patient groups were compared with each other in terms of questionnaire scores and general data. In total, 76 patients with a prosthesis of the orbit, nose, or ear, or a combination thereof, were included. There was a highly significant difference in overall satisfaction with defect reconstruction via a prosthesis of the ear compared with the orbit and nose (F(3) = 6.511, p = 0.001). Patients with congenital defects showed a significantly higher level of general satisfaction compared with patients with acquired defects (F(2) = 5.795, p = 0.001). Patients who returned to work were significantly more satisfied with their quality of life (T(57) = 2.626, p = 0.011). With regard to improvements to the state-of-the-art prostheses, the majority of patients suggested better retention, more durable colors, make-up possibilities, less noticeable margins, softer materials, and a movable orbital prosthesis. Within the limitations of the study it seems that facial epitheses improved mental wellbeing and increased quality of life among patients with facial defects. Multiple factors, such as type of facial defect, location of residence, and education can have a potential influence on the quality of life of affected patients. However, further studies are needed, since the psychological and social challenges remain.

[Embedded 3D printing of porous silicon orbital implants and its surface modification].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare customized porous silicone orbital implants using embedded 3D printing and assess the effect of surface modification on the properties of the implants. METHODS: The transparency, fluidity and rheological properties of the supporting media were tested to determine the optimal printing parameters of silicone. The morphological changes of silicone after modification were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of silicone surface were evaluated by measuring the water contact angle. The compression modulus of porous silicone was measured using compression test. Porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAOECs) were co-cultured with porous silicone scaffolds for 1, 3 and 5 days to test the biocompatibility of silicone. The local inflammatory response to subcutaneous porous silicone implants was evaluated in rats. RESULTS: The optimal printing parameters of silicone orbital implants were determined as the following: supporting medium 4% (mass ratio), printing pressure 1.0 bar and printing speed 6 mm/s. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the silicone surface was successfully modified with polydopamine and collagen, which significantly improved hydrophilicity of the silicone surface (P < 0.05) without causing significant changes in the compression modulus (P > 0.05). The modified porous silicone scaffold had no obvious cytotoxicity and obviously promoted adhesion and proliferation of PAOECs (P < 0.05). In rats bearing the subcutaneous implants, no obvious inflammation was observed in the local tissue. CONCLUSION: Poprous silicone orbital implants with uniform pores can be prepared using embedded 3D printing technology, and surface modification obviously improves hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the silicone implants for potential clinical application.

Individualized implants using point-of-care printed models in the treatment of orbital blowout fractures.

OBJECTIVE: This case series aims to highlight the digital workflow used by our institution to treat orbital fractures by creating individualized implants using point-of-care, 3-dimensional (3D) printed models. STUDY DESIGN: The study population comprised consecutive patients who presented to John Peter Smith Hospital with isolated orbital floor and/or medial wall fractures from October 2020 to December 2020. Patients treated within 14 days of their initial injury and with 3 months postoperative follow-up were included. Bilateral orbit fractures were excluded because an intact contralateral orbit is needed for 3D modeling. RESULTS: A total of 7 consecutive patients were included. The orbital floor was involved in 6 of the fractures, whereas 1 fracture involved the medial wall. All patients with preoperative diplopia, enophthalmos, or both had resolution by the 3-month postoperative follow-up appointment. Postoperatively, there were no complications in all patients included. CONCLUSIONS: The point-of-care digital workflow presented allows for the efficient production of individualized orbital implants. This method may produce a midface model in hours that can be used to pre-mold an orbital implant to the mirrored, unaffected orbit.

Treatment of orbital fractures - a critical analysis of ophthalmic outcomes and scenarios for re-intervention.

BACKGROUND: Malplaced implants in orbital reconstruction may lead to serious complications and necessitate re-intervention. The aim of this study was to describe outcomes, complications and scenarios of re-intervention in a historical case series of orbital fractures treated with free-hand orbital wall reconstruction. The main hypothesis was that early re-interventions are mainly because of malplaced implants in the posterior orbit. METHODS: Retrospective review of 90 patients with facial fractures involving the orbit, reconstructed with radiopaque orbital wall implants, from 2011 to 2016. Data were obtained from medical records and computed tomography images. Recorded parameters were fracture type, ocular injury, ocular motility, diplopia, eye position, complications and re-interventions. Secondary reconstructions because of enophthalmos were volumetrically evaluated. RESULTS: Early complications requiring re-intervention within 1 month were seen in 12 (13%) patients, where all except two were because of malplaced implants. The implant incongruence was without exception found in the posterior orbit. Late complications consisted of four (4%) cases of ectropion and five (5%) cases of entropion that needed corrective surgery. The majority of the patients with eye-lid complications had undergone repeated surgeries. Secondary orbital surgeries were performed in nine (10%) patients. Five of these patients had secondary reconstruction for enophthalmos and associated diplopia. None of these patients became completely free from either enophthalmos or diplopia after the secondary surgery. CONCLUSION: Re-intervention after orbital reconstruction is mainly related to malplaced implants in the posterior orbit. Incomplete results in patients requiring secondary surgery for enophthalmos infer the importance of accurate restoration of the orbit at primary surgery. Abstract presented at: Swedish surgery Week 2021 and SCAPLAS 2022.

An Ex Vivo Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of 3D Printing of Orbital Implants in Horses.

Severe ophthalmic conditions such as trauma, uveitis, corneal damage, or neoplasia can lead to eye removal surgery. Poor cosmetic appearance resulting from the sunken orbit ensues. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a custom-made 3D-printed orbital implant made of biocompatible material for the enucleated horse and usable in conjunction to a corneoscleral shell. Blender, a 3D-image software, was used for prototype design. Twelve cadaver heads of adult Warmbloods were collected from the slaughterhouse. On each head, one eye was removed via a modified transconjunctival enucleation while the contralateral eye was kept intact as control. Ocular measurements were collected on each enucleated eye with the help of a caliper and used for prototype sizing. Twelve custom-made biocompatible porous prototypes were 3D-printed in BioMed Clear resin using the stereolithography technique. Each implant was fixated into the corresponding orbit, within the Tenon capsule and conjunctiva. Heads were frozen and thin slices were then cut in the transverse plane. A scoring system based on four criteria (space for ocular prosthesis, soft-tissue-coverage, symmetry to the septum, and horizontal symmetry), ranging from A (proper fixation) to C (poor fixation), was developed to evaluate implantation. The prototypes reached our expectations: 75% of the heads received an A score, and 25% a B score. Each implant cost approximately 7.30€ and took 5 hours for 3D-printing. The production of an economically accessible orbital implant made of biocompatible porous material was successful. Further studies will help determine if the present prototype is usable in vivo.

Novel use of an autologous scleral button graft to close the anterior defect in evisceration surgery.

PURPOSE: To present an alternative evisceration technique with long-term follow-up data. This technique involves the insertion of an acrylic implant into a modified scleral shell which is closed using an autologous scleral graft. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of eviscerations performed in a district-general hospital in the UK. All patients underwent conventional ocular evisceration after total keratectomy. A full thickness scleral graft is harvested from the posterior sclera, using an internal approach, with an 8 mm dermatological punch. An 18-20 mm acrylic implant is placed into the shell, and the scleral graft is used to close the anterior defect. Demographic characteristics, implant size and type, and cosmetic results from pictures of all patients were recorded. All patients were invited for a review to measure motility, eyelid height, patient recorded satisfaction and complications. RESULTS: Of the five patients identified, one had since died. The remaining four attended a review in person. The mean time between surgery and review was 48 months. The mean implant size was 19 mm. There were no cases of implant extrusion or infection. All four had a <1 mm asymmetry in measured eyelid height and ≥5 mm horizontal gaze motility. All patients self-reported "good" cosmesis. An independent assessment identified "mild asymmetry" in two cases and "moderate" in the other two. CONCLUSION: Evisceration with this novel autologous scleral graft technique restores volume in the anterior orbit with good cosmetic results, and with no cases of implant exposure reported in this small case series. This technique should be compared prospectively to established techniques.

Foldable capsular vitreous body indications, complications, and outcomes: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) is an emerging vitreous substitute that has been recently introduced to treat various advanced vitreoretinal conditions including severe ocular trauma, complicated retinal detachment (RD), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. METHODS: Review protocol was prospectively registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022342310). A systematic literature search using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for articles published until May 2022 was performed. The search included the following keywords: foldable capsular vitreous body, FCVB, artificial vitreous substitutes, and artificial vitreous implants. Outcomes included indications of FCVB, anatomical success rates, postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies that utilized FCVB up to May 2022 were included. FCVB was used intraocularly as a tamponade or extraocularly as a macular/scleral buckle for various retinal conditions including severe ocular trauma, simple and complex RD, silicone oil-dependent eyes, and highly myopic eyes with foveoschisis. FCVB was reported to be successfully implanted in the vitreous cavity of all patients. Final retinal reattachment rate ranged from 30 to 100%. Postoperative IOP improved or was maintained in most eyes, with low postoperative complication rates. Improvement in BCVA ranged from 0 to 100% of subjects. CONCLUSION: Indications of FCVB implantation have recently widened to include multiple advanced ocular conditions such as complex RD, but also include simpler conditions as uncomplicated RD. FCVB implantation showed good visual and anatomical outcomes, few IOP fluctuations, and a good safety profile. Larger comparative studies are required to further evaluate FCVB implantation.

Polyester 5-0 suture for porous implant placement after retinoblastoma enucleation: analysis of 120 sockets.

BACKGROUND: Techniques used to suture the rectus muscle to the implant can influence the implant-related complications which is still a major problem following retinoblastoma enucleation. The goals of this work were to report the efficacy among patients with retinoblastoma who underwent enucleation followed by porous implant placement with the rectus muscles sutured with 5-0 polyester suture. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with retinoblastoma who underwent primary enucleation and porous implant placement with the rectus muscles tagged and sutured to the implant with polyester 5-0 suture. All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The main outcome measure was implant exposure. The secondary efficacy measures were other implant-related complications. RESULTS: Between May 2016 and December 2018, a total of 120 patients (120 eyes) underwent primary enucleation and porous implant placement were included. Postoperatively, 10/120 (8.3%) eyes developed exposure or conjunctival granuloma. Exposure was the most common postoperative complication (7/10, 70.0%). There were no cases of implant extrusion, migration, or infection. CONCLUSIONS: Polyester 5-0 sutures are successful in patients with retinoblastoma who underwent enucleation followed by porous implant placement. Complications are minimal. Polyester 5-0 sutures were not associated with unacceptable complications in this pediatric population.

The Scleral Cap Technique for Porous and Nonporous Orbital Implants.

PURPOSE: To describe the results and potential benefit of a banked homologous donor scleral cap over the anterior surface of polyglactin 910 mesh-wrapped porous and nonporous orbital implants during enucleation and secondary orbital implant surgery. METHODS: This is a single center, retrospective, clinical case series of 83 patients who received a polyglactin 910 mesh (Vicryl knitted mesh, undyed, Ethicon, Sommerville, New Jersey, USA) wrapped bioceramic or polymethylmethacrylate orbital implant (sphere or mounded) following enucleation and secondary orbital implant surgery by one surgeon over a 10-year period. A homologous donor scleral cap (approximately 1.5 × 1.5 cm diameter) was also placed over the anterior mesh-wrapped implant surface as an additional barrier. A minimum of 1-year follow up was required to be included in the study. The author analyzed patient demographics, type of surgery, implant type, implant size, follow-up duration, and presence or absence of implant exposure. The data from patients with greater than 1-year follow up are detailed in this report. RESULTS: The author identified 100 patients in his case files that had a scleral cap put in place over their implant. Seventeen patients were either lost to follow up or did not have at least a 1-year follow up, leaving 83 patients (44 enucleations, 39 secondary implants) that were followed for 12 to 120 months (average 60.5 months). There were no cases of implant exposure identified in either group of patients during this time period. CONCLUSIONS: Implant exposure can occur anytime post implant placement with a porous or nonporous orbital implant. This review suggests that a homologous donor scleral cap (approximately 1.5 × 1.5 cm diameter) over the polyglactin 910 mesh-wrapped implant surface may help prevent implant exposure. Patients with porous and nonporous orbital implants should be followed on a long-term basis as exposure can occur at anytime postsurgery, even several years later.

[Evisceration, enucleation and exenteration-Indications, techniques, and postoperative care]. / Eviszeration, Enukleation, Exenteration ­ Indikationen, Techniken und postoperative Nachsorge.

Various surgical techniques are available for the extirpation of an eye, depending on the underlying disease. Typical indications encompass tumors, inflammatory and infectious processes, glaucoma, trauma as well as congenital malformations. Surgical procedures include evisceration (resection of the intraocular space with preservation of the sclera), enucleation (extirpation of the entire eyeball including sclera and cornea) and exenteration (resection of the complete orbital soft tissue). The early detection of postoperatively manifesting complications, such as implant extrusion, conjunctivitis, postenucleation socket syndrome as well as the development of enophthalmus or ptosis, is of particular relevance in the context of postoperative care regarding functional, esthetic and social outcome. Special attention must be paid to ensuring a complication-free rehabilitation process, including the supply of a suitable, precisely fitting prosthesis or epithesis. This ensures the patient's psychosocial reintegration, in which an integrated interdisciplinary cooperation with ocularists and psychologists is essential. The latter play a particularly important role, as the psychological stress resulting from the procedure is often associated with a considerable reduction in the quality of life.