Dermal-fat graft as a primary enucleation technique.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Plastic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Ocular prosthetics are crucial for post-enucleation cosmesis and function.
• Dermal-fat grafting has been explored as an implant material for orbital volume reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of dermal-fat grafts as a primary implant material following eye enucleation.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 36 patients who underwent enucleation with dermal-fat grafting.
• Follow-up data collected over a three-year period to assess reoperation and prosthetic revision rates.

Main Results:

• 61% of patients (22 out of 36) required reoperation within the three-year follow-up period.
• 67% of patients needed secondary prosthetic revision, indicating suboptimal implant integration or volume maintenance.

Conclusions:

• Dermal-fat grafting is associated with a high incidence of complications and revisions after enucleation.
• Routine use of dermal-fat grafts as a primary enucleation implant is not recommended due to these unfavorable outcomes.