title: Processed fascia lata as an alternative implant material in evisceration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the use of processed fascia lata strips as an implant material in evisceration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective, interventional, noncomparative case series. Eight patients underwent standard evisceration of an eye with subsequent primary insertion of processed fascia lata strips in the scleral shell. They were clinically examined at regular postoperative intervals (up to 20 months) and had computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the orbits at the 12-month interval. The development of vascularity of the scleral shell contents was assessed with the intravenous administration of a contrast-enhancing agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fascia lata strips were incorporated without significant complications in all cases. The maintenance of adequate volume and position of the eviscerated globe was confirmed by both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies with intravenous administration of contrast-enhancing agent and fat-saturation sequences revealed the development of vascularity of the scleral shell contents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Processed fascia lata may be a useful alternative implant material in evisceration. Possible advantages of its use may include protection against extrusion, custom volume selection and easy intraoperative manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece. detorakis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Efstathios T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Detorakis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ioannakis
authors.forename: Eleni E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Drakonaki
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ganasouli
authors.forename: Vassilios P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017234:Eye Evisceration; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020273:Orbital Implants; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed