Reconstruction with umbilical amnion following ocular evisceration: A case study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Orbital wound dehiscence following evisceration presents reconstructive challenges.
• Restoring orbital volume and fornix depth is crucial for prosthetic eye fitting and cosmesis.
• Umbilical cord (UC) amniotic membrane is a potential biomaterial for soft tissue reconstruction.

Observation:

• A patient with a dehisced conjunctival wound post-evisceration underwent reconstruction using UC amniotic membrane.
• The UC graft was used to cover the defect, augment orbital volume, and deepen superior and inferior fornices.
• Post-operative follow-up demonstrated a healthy orbital socket with good prosthetic eye retention and cosmesis.

Findings:

• UC amniotic membrane effectively augmented soft tissue volume in the dehisced orbital socket.
• The graft successfully restored structural integrity and increased socket volume, facilitating prosthetic eye placement.
• Excellent cosmetic results and natural prosthetic eye movement were achieved within 8 months.

Implications:

• Umbilical cord amniotic membrane is a viable option for orbital socket reconstruction after evisceration.
• This approach can improve functional outcomes and patient satisfaction by enabling better prosthetic fitting.
• UC grafts offer a promising solution for managing complex orbital defects and enhancing aesthetic results.