[Surgical treatment of micro-ophthalmic syndromes]

The complex embryology of the oculo-orbito-palpebral region is responsible for a number of heterogeneous clinicopathological situations, associating variable proportions of the three components of the malformation: micro-anophthalmia, microblepharism, micro-orbitism. Application of the double principle of skin expansion for the eyelids and distraction of the callus for the orbit, as early as possible (first year of life), is possible by means of a device which consists of a combination of an intraorbital expansion balloon, an antireflux valve to avoid effective pressure losses in the balloon, and an injection site for progressive filling of the expansion balloon. The response to these treatments is excellent for cases of simple microphthalmia and micro-orbitism; in complex craniofacial malformations, it generally only partially resolves the problem, but provides a precious complement to the quality of the final repair.