Standard enucleation with aluminium oxide implant (bioceramic) covered with patient's sclera.
OBJECTIVE
We describe in our study a modified standard enucleation, using sclera harvested from the enucleated eye to cover the prosthesis in order to insert a large porous implant and to reduce postoperative complication rates in a phthisis globe.


METHODS
We perform initially a standard enucleation. The porous implant (Bioceramic) is then covered only partially by the patient's sclera. The implant is inserted in the posterior Tenon's space with the scleral covering looking at front. All patients were followed at least for twelve months (average followup 16 months).


RESULTS
We performed nineteen primary procedures (19 patients, 19 eyes, x M; x F) and secondary, to fill the orbital cavity in patients already operated by standard evisceration (7 patients, 7 eyes). There were no cases of implant extrusion. The orbital volume was well reintegrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Our procedure was safe and effective. All patients had a good cosmetic result after final prosthetic fitting and we also achieved good prothesis mobility.
Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgical and Anesthesiological Sciences, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40137 Bologna, Italy.
Gian Luigi
GL
Zigiotti
Sonia
S
Cavarretta
Mariachiara
M
Morara
Sang Min
SM
Nam
Stefano
S
Ranno
Francesco
F
Pichi
Andrea
A
Lembo
Stefano
S
Lupo
Paolo
P
Nucci
Alessandro
A
Meduri
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017234:Eye Evisceration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020273:Orbital Implants; D012590:Sclera
D000537:Aluminum Oxide