PURPOSE: To report the use of posterior auricular muscle complex grafts as
a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants in enucleation surg
ery.
METHOD: In a retrospective multicenter study, autogenous posterior auricula
r muscle complex grafts were used to cover hydroxyapatite orbital implants
in 83 patients with a mean age of 38.6 years (range, 1 to 85 years), of who
m 63 had primary unilateral enucleation and 20 had secondary orbital implan
ts following enucleation. The mean follow-up period after posterior auricul
ar muscle complex grafts was 36 months (range, 14 to 60 months).
RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, two (2.4%) developed limited orbital implant e
xposure, which was treated with a second posterior auricular muscle complex
"patch graft." No patient developed postoperative orbital infection or imp
lant extrusion. All patients were fitted with an acceptable prosthesis and
had satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. No patient developed vasc
ular com promise or a wound defect associated with the posterior auricular
donor site.
CONCLUSION: Autogenous posterior auricular muscle complex grafts should be
considered as an appropriate wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital i
mplants for primary enucleation and for secondary orbital implants after en
ucleation. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;128:495-501. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science
Inc. All rights reserved.).