Autologous dermis - Fat grafts as primary and secondary orbital transplants before rehabilitation with artificial eyes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the role of autologous dermis-fat grafts in the reconstruction of orbital soft-tissue defects.

PATIENTS: Thirty-six patients (3-84 years) were enrolled in this retrospective study from 2002 to 2014. The dermis-fat graft was primarily transplanted in seven cases, and secondarily in 29 patients. All the patients were evaluated for complications, adequate prosthetic cavity, possibility of artificial eye supply and movement, as well as cosmetic results. Follow-up periods ranged from 25 to 144 months.

RESULTS: All the patients could be supplied with an artificial eye in the long term after dermis-fat transplantation. The clinical evaluation revealed 17 complications allocated to 11 patients. A major complication occurred in three patients (8.3%) so that a surgical correction was necessary. Thirty-three patients (91.7%) showed an aesthetically stable long-term outcome.

CONCLUSION: Dermis-fat grafts for reconstruction of anophthalmic orbit represent a reliable method with a low complication rate and good cosmetic and functional results. The graft can be used as primary and secondary transplants. The stable long-term results and high aesthetic satisfaction lead us to recommend this method as a routine operation.