[Functional and cosmetic relevance of primary orbital implants].
BACKGROUND
Orbital implants are used to prevent post-enucleation-syndromes and to improve prosthesis motility.


METHODS
20 patients without and 32 patients with orbital implants were examined 6 to 14 years after enucleation. Maximum prosthesis motility in 4 directions, width of the palpebral fissure and vertical difference of the eye axis were measured using Kestenbaum glasses. The apex of the prosthesis was measured with a Hertel exophthalmometer. The post-enucleation-syndrome was assessed by a 4 point scale by the investigators.


RESULTS
Post-enucleation-syndromes are significantly (p < 0.01) less pronounced in patients with orbital implants, also prosthesis motility is significantly (p < 0.05) larger. The width of the palpebral fissure and the vertical difference of the eye axis is not significantly (p > 0.05) altered.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary orbital implants allow for prevention of a post-enucleation-syndrome and a better functional and cosmetic outcome.
Kohlhaas
Markus
M
Universitäts-Augenklinik Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
Schulz
Dominic
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004954:Esthetics; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design