Eye socket reconstruction with the prefabricated temporal island flap

Area of Science:

• Oculoplastic surgery
• Reconstructive surgery
• Biomaterials in medicine

Background:

• Anophthalmic eye socket reconstruction is often limited by tissue insufficiency and contraction.
• Traditional grafting methods (skin, mucous membrane, dermis-fat) can be unsatisfactory for severe cases.
• Achieving adequate socket dimensions and a vascularized epithelial surface is crucial for prosthetic device application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a prefabricated temporal island flap for reconstructing contracted anophthalmic eye sockets.
• To assess the long-term stability and suitability of the reconstructed sockets for prosthetic devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a prefabricated temporal island flap technique, creating the flap over temporal fascia based on superficial temporal vessels.
• Transposed the flap into the eye socket after a 3-week preparation period.
• Modified flap design over time to optimize prosthetic fitting.

Main Results:

• Successfully reconstructed eye sockets in all 33 treated patients, enabling prosthetic device use.
• Achieved adequate socket size and volume with well-vascularized epithelial surfaces.
• Demonstrated prevention of secondary graft shrinkage and preservation of flap dome shape during follow-up (1-13 years).

Conclusions:

• The prefabricated temporal island flap is a highly effective method for treating contracted anophthalmic eye sockets.
• This technique provides a stable, well-vascularized recipient site for prosthetic devices.
• The method overcomes limitations of traditional grafts, offering successful long-term outcomes.