Surgical outcomes of acellular human dermal grafts for large conjunctiva defects in orbital implant insertion

Purpose

We report the surgical outcomes of acellular human dermal allografts for repair of large conjunctiva defects in primary or secondary orbital implant insertion.

Methods

This retrospective chart review examined 12 eyes in 12 patients who underwent primary or secondary orbital implant insertion using Medpor® and acellular human dermal allografts to decrease conjunctival tension. Only patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included. The procedure was successful if there was no exposure until the last eye-clinic visit and the patient could wear a prosthesis. It failed if additional surgery was needed to correct the orbital implant exposure.

Results

The mean follow-up was 24.5 (range 6–54) months. Seven patients had primary orbital implant insertion, and five had secondary orbital implant insertion with acellular human dermal allografts. All enrolled patients had successful outcomes without exposure of the central conjunctiva. Two underwent additional surgery to correct fornix contracture and regain a cosmetically good prosthesis. Of these, one patient received additional acellular human dermal grafts and had a fair outcome. The other patient ultimately required fornix reconstruction with an autologous graft using oral mucosa.

Conclusion

Orbital implant insertion with acellular human dermis grafts had good surgical outcomes. The procedure could be effective for patients with insufficient conjunctival tissue to cover an orbital implant and a high probability of developing orbital implant exposure if tension was created by excessive direct conjunctival closure.     

Primary replacement for the management of exposed orbital implant

Purpose: We present a series of primary orbital implant replacement for cases of implant exposure to describe our experience of this one-staged surgical approach.

Methods: This study reports on a one-stage technique which involved the removal of the exposed implant or dermis fat graft (DFG) and insertion of a secondary (replacement) in the same procedure, with a variety of materials, including autologous tissue. Re-exposure in a socket where a DFG was placed was defined as a new defect in the newly epithelialized conjunctiva or dehiscence of the dermis-conjunctiva junction. All cases of primary replacement for the management of exposed orbital implant, porous and non-porous, were included, even when there were clinical signs suggestive of infection. The primary outcome was the rate of re-exposure, requiring additional surgical procedures. Infection following primary replacement was a secondary outcome.

Results: Seventy-eight patients had primary replacement for the management of an exposed orbital implant. 6.4% had re-exposure at a mean follow-up of 49.7 months (9.1% for ball implants and 4.5% for DFG). The rate of exposure was higher in those with prior signs of infection than those without (8% vs. 3.6%). Re-exposure occurred in 4.5% of cases with DFG implantation, 4.3% of cases with non-porous implants and in 20% of cases with porous implants.

Conclusion: Primary replacement for management of exposed orbital implant, porous and non-porous, has a high rate of successful outcome even in cases with presumed or confirmed infection.     

Amniotic membrane to the rescue of partially necrosed dermis fat graft

A 25-year-old woman underwent dermis fat graft on the right side for persistent ocular pain with her polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spherical orbital implant. One week later she developed dermal necrosis of the dermis fat graft with potentially devastating fat atrophy if left uncovered. Amniotic membrane graft epithelial side up was sutured to the conjunctiva surrounding the fat. 2 weeks later the graft epithelialized with preservation of fat. Role of amniotic membrane graft as a routine lining over dermis fat grafts to promote conjunctival healing and prevent fat exposure needs to be studied in prospective studies.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation for conjunctival epithelization of exposed dermis-fat [corrected] graft

We report the use of amniotic membrane over dermis-fat graft to improve conjunctival epithelization when fat is exposed. A 38-year-old male with previous history of orbital implant extrusion managed with a dermis-fat graft, presented with exposed fat secondary to dermis retraction in its central area. This caused difficulty with the conjunctival growth. Eighteen days after the amniotic membrane graft placement, a complete conjunctival reepithelization and an appropriate ocular prosthesis adaptation were achieved. Therefore, the amniotic membrane graft is a useful method to improve conjunctival growth in cases of dermis-fat grafts with fat exposure and limited conjunctiva, are present.     

Exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implants. Report of six cases.

Six patients with complications of primary or secondary hydroxyapatite implants were studied. Complications included socket infection and/or conjunctival dehiscence. Complications were detected during regular follow-up examinations, and various treatment approaches were used. The hydroxyapatite implant exposure occurred 4 to 6 weeks (mean, 4.5 weeks) after implantation. Three of the six implants were wrapped in preserved donor sclera before implantation. One of the implants showed wide exposure and chronic infection and was removed. In two cases, scleral patch grafts with a conjunctival pedicle graft were performed, resulting in successful coverage of the implant without further conjunctival dehiscence. In one of the patients, a Tenon's conjunctival flap was advanced to cover the defect, and was unsuccessful with the spicules of the hydroxyapatite eroding through the vascular flap after 1 month. Three of the patients demonstrate a persistent conjunctival epithelial defect. These three patients with chronically exposed hydroxyapatite have remained stable with follow-up intervals ranging from 8 to 12 months. Early exposure of hydroxyapatite orbital implants is a potential problem despite meticulous technique. Implant coverage is difficult, although chronic exposure seems to be tolerated often in the hydroxyapatite orbital implant without migration or extrusion.     

Customized 3D printing: A novel approach to migrated orbital implant

This paper describes a novel approach to treat migrated orbital implants post socket surgery. Implant migration may hinder the final aesthetic outcome of a custom ocular prosthesis. Once an implant migrates within the orbit there tends to be fibrosis around the implant. This fibrosis does not allow for centeration of the implant during repeat surgery. Hence treatment of a migrated implant traditionally involves implant removal with dermis fat grafting. Dermis fat graft though an option, needs a second site surgery that may be unacceptable to many patients. Also the rate of graft necrosis is as high as 40%. This paper describes a technique to create a custom orbital implant that allows recenteration of the migrated implant centrally, using 3-dimension (3D) printing and rapid prototyping to construct the patients affected orbit. This orbit is used as a mould to create the custom orbital implant that aids in volume augmentation as well as recenteration of the migrated orbital implant.     

Two-stage procedure for management of large exposure defects of hydroxyapatite orbital implant

PURPOSE: To report the results of a newly devised two-stage surgical technique for management of large hydroxyapatite exposure defects. METHODS: Eight patients with exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implant were treated in two stages. The exposed hydroxyapatite anterior surface was burred down and the defect was directly closed 3 to 13 months after the primary procedure. Then a mucous membrane or dermis-fat graft was added for socket reconstruction. RESULTS: Trauma was the primary cause of enucleation in all patients. Hydroxyapatite exposures occurred 1 to 2 weeks after implantation. Mean defect size was 15 mm in the greatest dimension (range 10-21 mm). Socket reconstruction was done in seven patients with mucous membrane graft and in one patient with dermis fat graft 3 to 13 months after direct repair of the defects. All eight patients maintained closure of the defects during a mean follow-up of 13 months (range 9-19 months). CONCLUSIONS: Management of hydroxyapatite exposures, especially those with large defects, can be difficult. Based on our experience, optimal results can be obtained after direct closure of the defect under minimal tension at the expense of foreshortening the fornices after which the socket can be reconstructed with a mucous membrane or dermis fat graft as a secondary procedure.     

Free orbital fat graft to prevent porous polyethylene orbital implant exposure in patients with retinoblastoma

PURPOSE: To determine if porous polyethylene orbital implant (Medpor) exposure can be prevented in retinoblastoma patients when the implant is placed in combination with a free orbital fat graft over the anterior surface of the implant. METHODS: Free orbital fat grafts were performed after enucleation and Medpor implantation, and results were compared with patients who underwent conventional enucleation and Medpor implantation without an orbital fat graft. RESULTS: Although implant exposure occurred in 13 of 39 eyes (33.3%) that had conventional enucleation and Medpor implantation, exposure did not develop in any of the 38 eyes that had the combined procedure with a free orbital fat graft. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a free orbital fat graft is a simple, effective way to prevent orbital implant exposure in patients requiring enucleation and Medpor implantation.     

Ophthalmic plastic applications of acellular dermal allografts

PURPOSE: Clinical problems of contracted conjunctival fornices, superior sulcus defects, and soft tissue contour defects in the periorbital region have not shown good, sustained results with a range of autologous and alloplastic implants. AlloDerm (Lifecell Corp., Woodlands, TX) is an acellular dermal graft processed from human donor tissue. The authors sought to assess the efficacy of AlloDerm as a soft tissue replacement in a variety of oculoplastic applications. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three patients. METHODS: Applications were broadly classified as barrier/scaffolding (i.e., primary and secondary implant coverage, lid spacer graft) and volume augmentation (i.e., superior sulcus and other periorbital soft tissue contour defects). Barrier grafts were applied as single sheets. Stacked sheets or rolled grafts were used for augmentation. Collectively, this material was used in 29 cases with 3 to 16 months' follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical evaluation of outcome and complications. RESULTS: As a soft tissue scaffolding and barrier implant, AlloDerm persisted sufficiently to permit repopulation with native tissue. Rolled/stacked implants demonstrated unpredictable resorption. Upper eyelid grafts seemed to have higher resorption rates than lower eyelid grafts. One case of anophthalmic superior sulcus augmentation required two revision surgeries to provide sufficient volume augmentation. The grafts were well tolerated, with no cases of infection or explanation. CONCLUSION: Acellular human dermis is an excellent barrier and reconstructive grafting material that provides an alternative to autologous grafts and other alloplastic material, avoids harvesting autologous tissue, possesses excellent handling properties, and is associated with minimal inflammation. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate persistence.     

Late porous polyethylene implant exposure after motility coupling post placement

PURPOSE: To report the probable association of motility coupling post placement and late porous polyethylene implant exposure. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 27 patients who had primary porous polyethylene orbital implantation from February 1999 to November 2000. Data on demographics, previous surgery, ocular diagnosis, type of surgery, size of the implant, and motility coupling post placement were collected. Complications of porous polyethylene implants and implant exposure were documented. RESULTS: Among the 27 patients, 18 eyes (66.7%) received motility coupling post insertion after primary porous polyethylene implantation. Implant exposure occurred in six (33.3%) of the 18 eyes with motility coupling post insertion. None of the eyes without insertion had implant exposure. The mean interval between porous polyethylene implantation and motility coupling post placement for the implant exposure group (6 of 18) was 6.5 +/- 0.4 months, which was not statistically significant compared with 7.2 +/- 0.6 months in the nonexposure group (12 of 18). For these 6 cases of implant exposure, the mean interval between implantation and implant exposure was 24.2 +/- 11.8 months, and the mean interval between pegging and exposure was 17.6 +/- 11.7 months. Among these 6 patients, 4 underwent removal of exposed porous polyethylene implants and reimplantation of hydroxyapatite implant or dermis fat reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: We found a trend (P =.07) of increasing risk of porous polyethylene implant exposure with motility coupling post placement. Although the pegging group did not show a statistically significant higher rate of exposure compared with the nonpegging group, we believe that more care was needed when performing motility coupling post placement. In addition, longer postoperative follow-up is needed after insertion of a motility coupling post.     

Autogenous temporalis fascia patch graft for porous polyethylene (Medpor) sphere orbital implant exposure

BACKGROUND: Temporalis fascia has been recommended for hydroxyapatite sphere exposure. The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for exposure of porous polyethylene (Medpor) sphere implants and evaluate the use of autogenous temporalis fascia as a patch graft for exposure. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive cases of porous polyethylene sphere orbital implant exposure. RESULTS: Five cases presented between May 2000 and October 2001 (three males, two females; mean age 44.5 years). Three had enucleation (two with primary implants) and two had evisceration (one with primary implant). Exposure occurred in one primary, two secondary, and two replacement implants. Orbital implant diameter was 20 mm in four cases and 16 mm in one case (contracted socket). The mean time from implantation to exposure was 23 months (range 0.7-42.6). Three patients had secondary motility peg placement before exposure. The average time from last procedure (sphere implant or peg insertion) to exposure was 3 months (range 0.7-12.6). Four patients required surgical intervention, of which three needed more than one procedure. Autogenous temporalis fascia grafting successfully closed the defect without re-exposure in three of these four patients. The grafts were left bare in three patients, with a mean time to conjunctivalise of 2.4 months (range 1.6-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Exposed porous polyethylene sphere implants were treated successfully with autogenous temporalis fascia graft in three of four patients. This technique is useful, the graft easy to harvest, and did not lead to prolonged socket inflammation, infection, or extrusion.     

Dermis fat graft in eviscerated sockets

Following evisceration, three patients who experienced extrusion of synthetic orbital implant underwent socket reconstruction using an autogenous dermis fat graft. An incision into the fundus of the existing sclera was necessary to provide for an adequate vascular bed for a composite fat graft, although the anterior ring of existing sclera with extraocular muscle attachments was not disturbed. Conjunctival reepithelialization of the dermal surface and enhancement of orbital volume occurred in each case. Furthermore, the autogenous fat graft retained the original excellent globe motility that was present before the socket reconstruction. After an average follow-up of 18 months, the volume restoration, integrity of conjunctival epithelium and fornices, and the graft viability have remained unchanged. As with alloplastic orbital implant extrusions in enucleated sockets, autogeneous dermis fat grafts can be useful in managing extrusions in previously eviscerated sockets.     

Pericranium grafts for exposed orbital implants

PURPOSE: To report the use of autologous pericranium grafts to cover exposed orbital implants. METHODS: A two-center consecutive case series of exposed orbital implants covered with autologous pericranium grafts. A patch of pericranium was harvested from the parieto-occipital region and was placed over the implant within a pocket between the implant and the Tenon capsule, followed by layered closure of Tenon and conjunctiva. RESULTS: Four patients (2 women, 2 men) with a mean age of 37 years (range, 26 to 45 years) were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 9.5 months (range, 7 to 12 months). In all cases, there was no recurrence of exposure and no donor site morbidity. A small pyogenic granuloma, arising from the conjunctival suture line, developed in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous pericranium is a useful covering material for exposed orbital implants and may be used as an alternative to frontal periosteum.     

Surgical coverage of exposed hydroxyapatite implant with retroauricular myoperiosteal graft

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of hydroxyapatite orbital implants, the complication of exposure has become apparent to oculoplastic surgeons. Many kinds of patch grafts, such as sclera, dermis, and hard palate mucosa, have been used to cover exposed hydroxyapatite implants with inconsistent results. In this study, the authors use a newly developed technique, autogenous retroauricular myoperiosteal graft, and the results are reported. METHODS: A piece of retroauricular muscle together with its underlying periosteum was carefully harvested. This myoperiosteal graft was patched to the debrided hydroxyapatite exposure area with the periosteal surface facing outward. The margin of periosteal surface was secured with conjunctiva and left uncovered for the surrounding conjunctiva to epithelialise. RESULTS: Nine eyes with hydroxyapatite exposure more than 3 mm were managed with autogenous retroauricular myoperiosteal grafts. Seven cases were successfully treated with single graft surgery. The other two cases needed an additional graft surgery, and there was no re-exposure noted thereafter. Five patients received a successful insertion of the motility peg. All nine patients have been fitted with prosthesis with reasonable motility. There were no complication noted during more than 1 year of follow up. CONCLUSION: The thick composite nature of the myoperiosteal graft provides a durable and vascularised coverage for exposed hydroxyapatite implants. This technique offers an encouraging alternative for the management of exposed hydroxyapatite implants.     

Combined use of bulbar conjunctival pedicle flap and labial mucous membrane graft for porous orbital implant exposure: Long-term outcome

Implant exposure is the most common serious complication of porous orbital implants, and often requires surgical repair. This study aims to describe 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. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients whose porous orbital implant exposures were repaired using this technique from 1995 to 2014. 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 29–267 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. 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.     

新鲜羊膜联合唇黏膜移植治疗义眼座暴露的疗效观察

目的：探讨新鲜羊膜联合唇黏膜移植治疗义眼座暴露的手术方法及临床效果。

方法：对24例义眼座植入术后义眼座暴露的患者行新鲜羊膜联合唇黏膜移植,观察术后义眼座有无外露、感染。

结果：移植唇黏膜全部成活,眼座无外露,结膜囊无缩窄,患者基本满意。

结论：新鲜羊膜联合唇黏膜移植是治疗义眼座暴露的理想方法。     

Amniotic membrane for repair of exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implant

Exposure of a hydroxyapatite orbital implant measuring 10 x 3 mm developed in a 25-year-old man. The exposure was repaired with an amniotic membrane graft. Follow-up examinations at 5 days, 2 weeks, 2.5 months, and 5 months after surgery demonstrated closure of the conjunctival defect. The author concludes that amniotic membrane may be useful for the treatment of hydroxyapatite orbital implant exposures.     

Wrapping hydroxyapatite orbital implants with posterior auricular muscle complex grafts

PURPOSE: To report the use of posterior auricular muscle complex grafts as a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants in enucleation surgery. METHOD: In a retrospective multicenter study, autogenous posterior auricular muscle complex grafts were used to cover hydroxyapatite orbital implants in 83 patients with a mean age of 38.6 years (range, 1 to 85 years), of whom 63 had primary unilateral enucleation and 20 had secondary orbital implants following enucleation. The mean follow-up period after posterior auricular muscle complex grafts was 36 months (range, 14 to 60 months). RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, two (2.4%) developed limited orbital implant exposure, which was treated with a second posterior auricular muscle complex "patch graft." No patient developed postoperative orbital infection or implant extrusion. All patients were fitted with an acceptable prosthesis and had satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. No patient developed vascular compromise or a wound defect associated with the posterior auricular donor site. CONCLUSION: Autogenous posterior auricular muscle complex grafts should be considered as an appropriate wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants for primary enucleation and for secondary orbital implants after enucleation.     

Frontal periosteum as an exposed orbital implant cover

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique of harvesting frontal bone periosteum, through an eyelid-crease incision, for coverage of orbital implants. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 15 patients who underwent the procedure. RESULTS: Eleven patients had surgery to cover exposed orbital implants, whereas in 4 patients the periosteal graft was used as an implant cover during enucleation. Periosteal grafts as large as 25 mm in diameter can be harvested. Recurrent exposure developed in 2 patients who had complicated histories of local trauma. One of these patients required a secondary dermis-fat graft, and the other experienced spontaneous granulation. The remaining 13 patients had excellent results without complications. CONCLUSION: Harvesting frontal bone periosteum, through an eyelid-crease incision, for orbital implant coverage is a relatively straightforward surgical technique. The procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia and yields excellent results. Recurrent exposure occurred only in 2 patients with histories of significant local trauma.     

Pyogenic granuloma as a presenting sign of hydroxyapatite orbital implant exposure: a clinicopathologic study

PURPOSE: We report 5 unusual cases of exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implants that presented as pyogenic granulomas. We propose pathogenesis and histopathologic correlations. METHODS: A clinicopathologic study of 5 patients with hydroxyapatite implants who presented with pyogenic granuloma. RESULTS: Pyogenic granulomas were detected 1.5 to 30 months after implantation in 5 patients. The lesions were multiple but were not related to the wound margin at the exposed area and were not covered by the surface epithelium in most instances. Exposure defects were detected in all patients at the time of lesion excision. The mean exposure size in the greatest dimension was 16 mm (range, 9-20 mm). Three patients were treated successfully with simple excision of the granulomas, burring down of the anterior surface of the implants, and direct repair of the exposure defects. Explantation of the implant was performed in 2 cases. Histopathologic examination revealed chronic inflammation and microabscess formation in the explanted implants. CONCLUSIONS: Five patients with pyogenic granulomas were found to have hydroxyapatite exposure. Pyogenic granuloma should not be considered a benign lesion on a hydroxyapatite orbital implant, especially in recurrent cases. Ophthalmologists must be aware of the possibility of conjunctival dehiscence with hydroxyapatite-implant exposure beneath the lesion.