Orbital exenteration and periorbital skin cancers.

Purpose: Orbital exenteration is a disfiguring surgical procedure that requires thoughtful reconstruction.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed all cases of orbital exenteration done in our department since 1998.

Results: A total of 26 patients had undergone surgery during our study period, and 27 exenterations have been conducted since 1998. The reconstruction was performed in 20 patients using an ipsilateral temporal muscle flap. One patient underwent reconstruction using a temporalis fascia flap and 6 using free flaps. A total of 11 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Data collection revealed 6 patients with an ocular prosthesis. The prosthesis had either been glued or mounted onto glasses.

Conclusions: Analyzing our results and the published data, we found that the reconstruction mode influences prosthetic rehabilitation. Thus, we have identified 2 categories. In the first category, postoperative radiotherapy will be required and coverage with a flap will be needed. In the second category, postoperative radiotherapy is not indicated and thus the healing time might be extended in favor of more space for better retention of the prosthetic rehabilitation.