Custom orbital implant in the repair of late posttraumatic enophthalmos

A rare late complication of silicone orbital implant

This study describes the clinical and radiological picture as well as early results of surgical treatment of a rare, late complication of a nonporous silicone orbital implant, its encapsulation with the formation of an inclusion cyst.

Computer-assisted orbital volume measurement in the surgical correction of late enophthalmos caused by blowout fractures

PURPOSE

To evaluate the use of computer-assisted volumetric measurement for the prediction of late enophthalmos and for volume estimation of implant material in the correction of late enophthalmos secondary to orbital blowout fractures (BOF).

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study of 16 patients. Computer-assisted orbital volume measurements were made with the use of axial CT scans. Hertel exophthalmometry was used for the measurement of enophthalmos. The Lancaster test was used for measurement of diplopia. Autogenous bone or hydroxyapatite composite material was used for the repair of orbital defects and the correction of orbital volume expansion in 16 patients with enophthalmos caused by BOF. The volume of implant material was calculated from the orbital volume increment. Patients were followed for an average of 8 months after surgery.

RESULTS

There is a high correlation between the increment of orbital volume and the degree of enophthalmos; 1 cm3 orbital volume increment causes 0.89 mm of enophthalmos. Before surgery, 10 of the 16 patients had moderate enophthalmos (3 to 4 mm) and 6 patients had severe enophthalmos (> or = 5 mm). Six months after surgical intervention, 13 patients (81%) achieved satisfactory results; 3 patients had no enophthalmos and 10 had mild enophthalmos (1 to 2 mm). Three patients had moderate to severe enophthalmos.

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of orbital volume in patients with BOF can be used to predict the degree of late enophthalmos. Use of the orbital volume increment to determine the amount of implant material can improve the therapeutic outcome in the correction of late enophthalmos caused by BOF.

Orbital volume augmentation for late enophthalmos using the deep lateral wall

Orbital volume augmentation to address enophthalmos and hollowing of the superior sulcus has been described with a variety of materials and from a variety of approaches.(1-4) A common location for volume augmentation is the inferomedial orbital wall; this surface is often the one that was expanded related to orbital trauma, and it is easily accessed through hidden conjunctival or caruncular incisions.

Complications and toxicities of implantable biomaterials used in facial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery: a comprehensive review of the literature

The use of implantable biomaterials has become an integral part of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face. Metals are used for fracture fixation devices, whereas polymers are used primarily for bone or soft-tissue substitution. This review of the scientific literature examines the risks and complications of these materials. First, we present an overview of commonly used materials. Second, we address general considerations of toxicity relevant to all biomaterials. Third, we present data from a large number of clinical series on the incidence of complications for individual materials used in specific applications.

The use of silastic as an orbital implant for reconstruction of orbital wall defects: review of 311 cases treated over 20 years

PURPOSE

A retrospective review of silicone rubber (Silastic; Dow Corning, Midland, MI) implants placed in orbits was undertaken. These implants were used to reconstruct defects in the orbital floor and/or walls secondary to trauma, or those created during malar or orbital osteotomies. The purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of removal of these implants from the surgical site.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 311 patients treated over a 20-year period were reviewed. Of these, 302 had received silastic implants secondary to trauma.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (13%) had their implant removed at a second operation. The reasons for removal included infection, migration of the implant, worsening eye sign such as diplopia, and others.

CONCLUSION

Because there was a clinically significant rate of removal of this material, consideration should be given to the use of other available materials.

Infection after insertion of alloplastic orbital floor implants

Ten patients developed infections after alloplastic implantation (nine silicone, one gelatin film [Gelfilm] implant) for orbital floor fracture repair. Infection resulted from the following: (1) dental surgery, (2) upper respiratory infection, (3) inferior extrusion of a retained implant into the maxillary sinus with a fistulous tract into the inferior conjunctival fornix, (4) rhinoplasty, (5) snorting cocaine and other drugs, (6) postoperative infection after orbital floor repair, and (7) medial implant migration resulting in chronic dacryocystitis. In all ten patients, implants were removed because of orbital abscess, recurrent infection, or chronic low-grade infections. Microbiologic culture of removed implants disclosed Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the offending organisms. The main complication of infection included severe cicatricial ectropion of the lower eyelid in three patients. The final globe position was not adversely affected by implant removal performed from five months to 20 years after insertion. Guidelines for prevention and management of orbital implant infections based on these ten patients are presented.

Orbital floor reconstruction with autogenous bone harvested from the mandibular lingual cortex

A new technique which uses mandibular lingual plate as a source of cortical bone for reconstructing orbital floor defects is described. The mandible provides a readily available alternative source of bone for grafting, whilst minimising postoperative complications and morbidity.