DERMOFAT GRAFT AS AUTOGENOUS ORBITAL IMPL ANT

Background The use of orbital implants after an enucleation is the pre -condition for an adequate fitting of the prosthesis and gives the bes t functional and cosmetic results. The autogenous dermofat graft is an alternative to the widely used alloplastic orbital implants. It can b e used as a primary implant or as a secondary implant for the correcti on of a contracted socket or a post enucleation socket syndrome. Metho d Deepithelialized skin with subcutaneous fat is implanted into the so cket. The rectus muscles, Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva are fixed to the transplant separately. Surgical technique, possible complications and their therapy are presented. Conclusions Disadvantages of the met hod are the more extensive surgery, some minor complications and the p ossible shrinkage of the transplant. Advantageous is the fact, that ty pical complications of all alloplastic implants, like migration and ex trusion, can be avoided, heterologeous materials like donor sclera are unnecessary and the functional and cosmetic results are very good.