Safety and aesthetic outcomes of silicone buckles as an implant for anophthalmic sockets: a decade of experience in Japan.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and aesthetic outcomes of silicone buckle #506 for anophthalmic socket reconstruction.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent enucleation or evisceration at the Osaka University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients under 18 years old, with < 3 months follow-up, without a prosthesis, or with bilateral surgery were excluded. Aesthetic outcomes were assessed using standardized photographs taken 3 months postoperatively, scored by five independent ophthalmologists for upper eyelid sulcus deepening asymmetry. Scoring was categorized as 0: no noticeable side difference, 1: slight asymmetry, and 2: marked asymmetry characterized by upper eyelid sulcus deepening.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients (60 sockets) were analyzed. Thirty-three received silicone buckle implants (1-4 buckles). Implant exposure occurred in two patients (6.1%). Aesthetic scores were assessed in 48 patients. Mean aesthetic scores were 0.97 (no implant), 0.78 (one buckle), 0.68 (two buckles), and 0.42 (three/four buckles) (p = 0.123).

CONCLUSIONS

Silicone buckle #506 appears to be a safe and feasible option for anophthalmic socket reconstruction. Further studies are needed to optimize aesthetic outcomes and determine the ideal number of buckles.