Extraocular Myoplasty: Surgical Remedy For Intraocular Implant Exposure

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Evisceration and nucleation are common ophthalmic surgeries for painful or disfiguring blind eyes.
• Orbital implants are used to replace lost volume but can lead to complications like discharge and exposure.
• Current management for implant exposure includes revision surgery or grafting.

Observation:

• A case study involved a 60-year-old male with a 3x4 mm orbital implant exposure one month post-evisceration.
• The exposure was likely due to tight closure of the surgical site.
• The patient underwent extra-ocular myoplasty with a buccal mucosal graft under general anesthesia.

Findings:

• The exposed orbital implant was covered using medial and lateral recti muscles.
• The muscle flap was reinforced with a buccal mucosal graft and secured with sutures.
• The patient remained asymptomatic with successful implant coverage after one year.

Implications:

• Extraocular myoplasty with buccal mucosal grafting presents a viable surgical solution for orbital implant exposure.
• This technique effectively manages implant exposure complications, potentially reducing the need for implant removal.
• The procedure demonstrates good long-term outcomes in restoring orbital integrity and patient comfort.