Enucleation versus evisceration with intraocular silicone prosthesis in dogs: Postoperative complication rate and...

This study compared complication rates and owner satisfaction following enucleation versus evisceration with intraocular prosthesis (EIOP) in dogs. The aim was to increase knowledge of both procedures in the literature.

We conducted a medical review of records for 138 dogs presented to the ophthalmology service of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal (Quebec) that underwent either enucleation from 2015 to 2022 or EIOP from 2008 to 2022. A survey of owner satisfaction conducted by email or telephone was done at the time of data collection, 4.1 ± 2.1 y (mean ± SD) post-enucleation and 11.8 ± 4.2 y post-EIOP.

There was a difference in the complication rate between the 2 procedures, with EIOP much more prone to complications than enucleation (54.1 versus 15.3%; P < 0.001). No variable tested had a significant effect on the complication rate (age, size, sex, comorbidities, or brachycephalic syndrome). Further, the average duration of administration of topical medication after EIOP in this study (0.49 y) was much longer than intervals mentioned in the literature. The owner survey revealed similar levels of satisfaction regarding the postoperative outcomes of both procedures.

Both procedures are viable options, but it is important to clearly communicate to the owner the complication risks and implications for providing extended postoperative care after EIOP. We concluded that EIOP can be a controversial procedure. Further, enucleation can produce a very satisfactory cosmetic result with a much-reduced postoperative burden.