[Reconstruction of orbital exenteration defects: about 20 cases]

The face is social support. Eyes allow the individual to interact with the environment and others. Orbital exenteration defects are the results of extreme disfiguring surgery, leading to functional, aesthetic and psychological sequelae. Reconstruction is essential and must meet several objectives: filling the cavity and closing any communications with the adjacent structures, obtaining rapid healing, allowing for local monitoring and finally enabling patients to reintegrate into society and achieve a satisfactory quality of life. We here present our experience in filling and reconstructing these cavities. Our study involved 20 patients with orbital exenteration defects over a period of 5 years (February 2015-February 2020). We analyzed the epidemiological features, clinical profile, and methods of the reconstruction as well as patients´ outcomes in our hospital. The average age of patients was 58.5 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the main histological type, followed by basal cell carcinoma. Filling techniques included directed wound healing (7 cases), temporalis fascia flap (2 cases), temporalis muscle flap (10 cases). Methods of reconstruction included directed wound healing (6 cases), full-thickness skin graft (1 case), mediofrontal flap (6 cases; alone or associated with the temporalis muscle), converse scalping flap in three cases. Free latissimus dorsi flap was used in two cases. Thirteen patients showed good outcomes, with good healing after an average follow-up period of 9 months. The most common complication was infection and suture release. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Orbital exenteration defects can be approached in many ways. Temporalis muscle flap has been shown to be a robust and safe choice as well as an excellent filling solution. Prostheses are an aesthetic but expensive solution that should be developed in our hospital.