UNILATERAL DERMIS-FAT GRAFT IMPLANTATION IN THE PEDIATRIC ORBIT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the dermis-fat g raft (DFG) as an orbital implant in the pediatric age group. A retrosp ective study was made of a series of 16 patients who had undergone uni lateral orbital implantation of a DFG. The ages of the patients at the time of surgery ranged from 2 months to 17 years, with followup rangi ng from 2 to 15 years. Growth of the graft was clinically apparent in the younger children. Increasing proptosis required surgical debulking of the graft in six of eight children who were 4 years old or younger at the time of DFG implantation. None of the eight children who were 9 years or older at the time of DFG implantation required surgical deb ulking. Indeed, five of the older patients demonstrated some degree of graft atrophy. Dermis-fat grafts placed in the orbits of young childr en appear to grow after implantation. This growth of the implant may h elp stimulate orbital growth, potentially leading to more symmetry bet ween the involved and uninvolved sides.