Enucleation with primary implant insertion for treatment of recalcitrant endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis

A prevalent conception exists that a two-stage operation (i.e., primary enucleation or evisceration with delayed secondary orbital implant insertion) is necessary when enucleation is required for recalcitrant endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of single-stage enucleation and primary reconstruction in this setting.

In a retrospective interventional case series, 22 consecutive patients with advanced endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis refractory to prior medical treatment underwent enucleation and primary implant placement by a single surgeon between 1991 and 2001. Eleven patients received hydroxyapatite implants; 11 patients received silicone implants. All patients were treated during surgery with intravenous antibiotics. All patients were evaluated for persistent local or systemic infection, implant exposure, extrusion, and successful fitting of their prostheses.

No cases of persistent orbital cellulitis or meningitis occurred in any of the patients. Two patients with silicone orbital implants had extrusions; one was successfully managed with a secondary dermis-fat graft, and another patient who refused additional treatment was allowed to heal by secondary intention after the implant was removed. None of the patients with hydroxyapatite orbital implants had complications. All patients (20/20) who elected to undergo prosthetic fitting were successfully fit with prostheses. One patient elected not to pursue prosthetic fitting. One patient died of unrelated causes before a prosthesis could be fit. There were no objective findings to preclude successful fitting in either case.

This study suggests that enucleation with primary orbital reconstruction and implant insertion for recalcitrant, fulminant ocular infection is an acceptable and advantageous treatment strategy. The risks and expenses associated with two separate surgeries are decreased, hospitalization time is potentially reduced, and subsequent rehabilitation can be initiated in a more timely fashion.