Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Techniques of Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty
Published on: January 26, 2024
[Long-term results of secondary orbital implants]
C Hintschich1, F W Zonneveld, L Baldeschi
1Augenklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Background:
Secondary orbital implants are used for the correction of the post-enucleation socket syndrome (PESS). This study evaluates retrospectively the post-operative course, complications, additional surgery, long-term cosmetic and functional results, and patient's satisfaction after secondary orbital implants.
Patients:
Nineteen out of 24 patients who underwent secondary baseball implant insertion between 1986 and 1989 for the correction of PESS were re-examined.
Results:
Five patients had complications, 11 patients (58%) further surgery. After a mean follow-up of 8.6 years, 17 patients (89%) showed findings better than preoperatively. Two patients were unchanged. The static overall impression, assessing particularly volume deficit and symmetry, using a scale of 1 to 5, was improved from 4.5 preoperatively to 2.5.
Conclusions:
Secondary orbital implants improve symptoms of PESS and patient's satisfaction in a high proportion of cases also in the long term. Complications are not rare, and frequently more than one operation is necessary. There is no significant risk of long-term side effects and no reduction of the positive effect with time.
