A triple-layered closing technique using the recti muscles to augment implant coverage in eye enucleation after...

Eye enucleation (EE) of a previously irradiated orbit can lead to difficult wound closure due to the soft tissues fibrosis such as Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva. We, here, report a technique modification for EE surgery after facial radiotherapy that may decrease implant exposure by using recti muscles native tissue to reinforce the anterior implant coverage. A 71-year-old African male presented in 2003 a right orbital extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type. He was treated with chemotherapy followed by whole orbital radiotherapy. His right vision remained impaired due to phtisis bulbi secondary to facial radiotherapy. By 2017, he developed right painful phthisis bulbi. Radiological systemic staging did not reveal any recurrence or metastasis. Because of the history of neoplasia, the right eye had to be enucleated. Due to tissue fibrosis secondary to radiotherapy, we took care to preserve as much conjunctiva and Tenon as possible. EE was performed under general anesthesia. EE consisted of a standard procedure with a modified triple-layered closing technique. The four recti muscles were attached with 5-0 Vicryl to the anterior part of the implant by passing the needle through the tunnels and tying the suture. The horizontal muscles were spread with a forceps to cover the lateral and medial part of the implant. The vertical muscles were spread with a forceps to cover the superior and the inferior part of the implant. Finally the edges of the recti muscles were sutured to each other with 5-0 Vicryl to create a muscle layer. Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva were closed separately, using horizontal interrupted 6-0 Vicryl sutures. One year after surgery, wound closure was complete with no sign of extrusion. The triple-layered closing technique using the recti muscles in EE represents a potentially viable alternative to augment implant coverage in case of Tenon and conjunctival fibrosis secondary to facial radiotherapy.