title: Reconstruction after orbital exenteration using gracilis muscle free flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orbital exenteration (OE) is a disfiguring procedure, which typically includes the removal of the entire eyeball including the globe, extraocular muscles, and periorbital soft tissues after malignancies excision or trauma. Several methods of orbital reconstruction have been attempted with varying success. In this report, we analyze results of the use of gracilis muscle free flap for reconstruction of OE defects and its feasibility for prosthetic rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine consecutive patients treated at the China Medical University Hospital of Taichung during January 2009 to January 2013, who had gracilis free flap reconstruction after OEs, were retrospectively reviewed. Cancer in six patients and trauma in remaining three patients was the cause for OE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients who underwent reconstruction with gracilis free tissue transfer had a successful outcome. There was not any donor or recipient site morbidity; however, one patient was deceased during follow-up period due to metastasis. The mean follow-up period was 23.5 months. Cosmetic results were acceptable both to patients and to surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gracilis free flap to repair OE defects may be a safe alternative for reconstruction. It provides a larger volume of well-vascularized tissue, greater placement flexibility, and minor donor site morbidity without any significant functional deficit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata, ", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nicoli
authors.forename: Ram M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chilgar
authors.forename: Stamatis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapountzis
authors.forename: Matthew Sze-Wei
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciudad
authors.forename: Kidakorn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiranantawat
authors.forename: Tolga Taha
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maruccia
authors.forename: Seong Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Joannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Constantinides
authors.forename: Hung Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D017233:Orbit Evisceration; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies