Correction of orbital implant exposure using a supra-brow island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle

Abstract

Purpose

To describe our experience of the supra-brow island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle technique for correcting orbit implant exposure.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study reviewed 32 patients that underwent orbit implant exposure surgery using a supra-brow island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle. All data were reviewed from patients in Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai during January 2018 to July 2020. The patient demographics, the original etiology, surgical procedures, implant types, and follow-up interval were recorded. The primary outcome was the long-term coverage of the supra-brow island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle, and the post-surgical complications and management were secondary outcomes.

Results

28 eyes of 28 patients had functional results and satisfactory cosmetic outcomes at final follow up(range, 9–29 months). Among the other 4 patients, the recurrence of exposure was recorded during the follow-up, two of these patients successfully underwent dermis fat grafts(DFGs), one recovered after conservative treatment, and one refused treatment.

Conclusions

The supra-brow island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle is a technique available to manage orbital implant exposure when other simpler and more direct techniques have been tried and failed.

Precis

A new flap for orbital implant exposure