View 2019 Abstracts

Exposure of orbital implant post enucleation or evisceration remains one of the common complications irrespective of the type of implant utilised. Dermis fat graft, temporalis fascia have been used to repair the implant exposure in anophthalmic sockets. Tutoplast pericardium, gamma sterilised dehydrated human pericardium has been used as a scleral patch graft for glaucoma drainage device exposure and scleral thinning post squint surgery. We report the use of Tutoplast patch graft to repair orbital implant exposure in this case series.

The case notes of three patients who received Tutoplast pericardium patch graft to repair the implant exposure were reviewed and data regarding presenting symptoms, the type of implant, time to implant exposure from primary surgery and length of follow-up post Tutoplast pericardium patch graft and any post op complications was collected.

Three patients presented with implant exposure post primary implantation ranging from 3-20 years. The presenting symptoms were recurrent infection, discharging socket and discomfort in all three patients. Out of the three one had Medpor implant and two had silicone implant. Total follow-up ranged from 6-20 months. In all three cases, there was relief from symptoms of pain, discomfort and discharge; and graft had incorporated fully into the surrounding orbital tissue with no recurrent exposure noted during the follow-up period.

Tutoplast pericardium has demonstrated a good safety profile and is suitable material to use as a patch graft for orbital implant exposure.