Dermis-fat grafts are currently used in orbital reconstruction in,a variety
of procedures. The most frequent harvesting site is the gluteal area. Howe
ver, we encountered some patients with anophthalmic socket who wished to av
oid a visible scar on the buttock. In this article, we describe the effort
to offer the patient an alternative donor site. Of the last 36 patients wit
h anophthalmic socket who needed a dermal fat implant, 11 wished to avoid a
visible scar on the buttock. To satisfy their requests we have endeavored
to harvest the dermis graft from the periumbilical area. The rate of absorp
tion, the motility, and the satisfaction of the patients were used as outco
me measures and were analyzed carefully.
Of 11 patients, 4 were women and 7 were men. The ages of these patients ran
ged from 24 to 56. The maximum follow-up was 137 months and the minimum 22
months, with a mean follow-up of 79 months.
Some degree of absorption of the graft developed in one patient who had a s
evere absorption and required further operation. Of 11 cases, there were 7
with excellent motility, 3 with good motility, and 1 not evaluated. The mot
ility was measured with the final prosthesis. The results for all patients
were satisfactory.
The periumbilical area has sufficient concentration of subdermal fat, and i
t is a relatively hair-free region as the lateral quadrant of the buttock.
This area is a suitable alternative donor site of dermal fat implant for an
ophthalmic socket, especially in young women.