title: Surgical repair of orbital fat prolapse by conjunctival fixation to the sclera.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study described here was to report the outcomes of surgery for orbital fat prolapse by conjunctival fixation to the sclera.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three consecutive eyes of 19 patients with orbital fat prolapse were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were treated with the same simple procedure without resection through conjunctival incision: fixation of conjunctiva to the sclera with interrupted sutures of 10-0 nylon in two rows located approximately 12-14 mm posterior to the limbus. These sutures formed an embankment to keep the prolapsed fat posteriorly. Postoperative results were determined by slit-lamp examination and recurrence of prolapse was defined as the presence of orbital fat anterior to the embankment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the mean follow-up period of 19 months (range: 1-59 months), one case experienced recurrence which required further surgery. None of the other cases experienced recurrence, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conjunctival fixation to the sclera was a simple and effective surgical technique for orbital fat prolapse, with less invasion compared to the conventional method that requires conjunctival incision.
authors.affiliation: Division for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo.
authors.forename: Natsuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Division for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo ; Department of Ophthalmology, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo.
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.affiliation: Division for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo ; Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Chika
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shigeyasu
authors.affiliation: Division for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo ; Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
keywords: 10-0 nylon; conjunctiva; herniation; orbital fat; surgical technique; suture