Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant in Pediatric Patients with Retinoblastoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of implantation of hydroxyapatite orbital implant in patients with retinoblastoma. METHODS: The medical records of 31 children who had undergone hydroxyapatite implantation after enucleation or secondary hydroxyapatite implantation, for retinoblastoma from April 1994 to January 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of operation was 64.1 months (range, 1 to 247 months). The mean follow-up period was 35.3 months (range, 3 to 139 months). The diameter of the orbital implants most used was 20 mm (35.4%, range, 16~21 mm). Tutoplast(R), Vicryl mesh(R), and Neuropatch(R) were used as the wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite orbital implant. Of 31 patients (31 eyes), 8 eyes were found to have complications 6 eyes showed lower lid sagging (19.4%), 1 eye granulation tissue overgrowth (3.2%) and 1 eye conjunctival sac contracture (3.2%). Exposure of the hydroxyapatite orbital implant occurred in 1 eye (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxyapatite implantation in children with retinoblastoma showed good surgical results and minimal complications.