Frequent prosthesis refitting to prevent implant exposure in patients with retinoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of prosthesis refitting on porous orbital implant exposure in 100 patients who underwent enucleation for retinoblastoma.


METHODS
Parameters analyzed included patient's age at enucleation, gender, implant type, frequency of prosthesis adjustment, and use of chemotherapy or radiation. The main outcome measures consisted of the condition of the fornices, condition of the implant (including conjunctival thinning), and condition and functioning ability of the prosthesis.


RESULTS
Increased frequency of visits with the ocularist and number of prosthesis adjustments and refits significantly improved the condition of the implant, fornices, and prosthesis. The patient's age at enucleation, gender, and use of chemotherapy or radiation did not have a significant effect on any of the outcome variables. The condition of the implant was significantly better for porous polyethylene than hydroxyapatite implants (P = .024). No implant exposures were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Frequent adjustments and refits by the ocularist are significantly associated with a reduced rate of conjunctival thinning and complete avoidance of implant exposure in patients undergoing enucleation for retinoblastoma. These findings are particularly significant for this population, which historically has demonstrated a high rate of implant exposure.
Williams
Basil K
BK
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science BKW, North Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Schefler
Amy C
AC
Garonzik
Scott N
SN
Gologorsky
Daniel
D
Shi
Wei
W
Cavalcante
Ludimila L
LL
Cavalcante
Milena L
ML
Feuer
William J
WJ
Murray
Timothy G
TG
D015353:Eye Enucleation; D006801:Humans; D020273:Orbital Implants; D020959:Polyethylene; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy
D020959:Polyethylene