Long-term Outcome of Conjunctival Transposition Flaps for Contracted Sockets

To assess the efficacy, and reintervention rate, of a conjunctival transposition technique in the treatment of contracted fornices in anophthalmic sockets.

Retrospective case-note review of patients with contracted anophthalmic sockets who received a novel conjunctival mucosal transposition flap for augmentation of socket lining. Contracted anophthalmic sockets were categorized as grade 1 (minimal contraction), grade 2 (inferior and/or superior fornix), grade 3 (advanced scarring of the entire upper and lower fornices), and grade 4 (severe palpebral phimosis, recurrent cases, and irradiated sockets).

Of 32 patients (56% male), 53% had mild-to-moderate contracted anophthalmic sockets (grades 1 or 2). The transposition flap was combined with secondary ball implantation (3 cases), ball exchange (1 case), primary orbital floor (1 case), or revisional floor (3 cases) implantation. By an average follow up of 9.2 years, 16% (5 cases with grade 3 or 4) required additional relining, with another patient declining further surgery; this yielding an overall anatomic success of 81% (100% in grades 1 and 2; 60% in grades 3 and 4). At the last follow up, 91% of patients had adequate socket lining and 94% reported a comfortable socket with stable prostheses.

Having results similar to free grafting but without remote donor-site morbidity, this novel transposition flap satisfactorily addresses mild-to-moderate fornix contracture, and most patients achieve stable and comfortable prosthetic wear. Some patients with severe contracted anophthalmic sockets required further autologous grafting: this generally arose because the transposition flap included tissue from above the socket's horizontal raphé (with later contracture of the upper fornix).