Dermis-fat graft for treatment of exposed porous polyethylene implants in pediatric postenucleation retinoblastoma patients.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the use of the autogenous dermis-fat graft for the treatment of porous polyethylene implant exposure and volume augmentation in postenucleation retinoblastoma children.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

Ten children who received a dermis-fat graft at Seoul National University Hospital between July 1, 2005 and January 31, 2010 were included in this study. The patients had undergone unilateral enucleation for retinoblastoma, and received a subconjunctival dermis-fat graft to repair implant exposure and simultaneously correct enophthalmos. The clinical characteristics of the patients, rate of graft survival, and complications were analyzed. The cosmetic outcome was assessed using a grading system.

RESULTS

All patients had enucleation using porous polyethylene implant as a primary orbital implant. The average time to exposure was 89.1 ± 22.4 months and the median size of defect was 2 × 3 mm. With a mean follow-up of 28 months, 9 of 10 patients showed well-survived graft without re-exposure. One patient who experienced a graft failure managed with implant rotation and a scleral graft. Seven patients showed significant improvement of enophthalmos.

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of an autogenous dermis-fat graft is a procedure that can be effectively used to treat porous polyethylene implant exposure and simultaneously correct enophthalmos. Use of this procedure can be particularly advantageous for pediatric postenucleation patients.