Management of porous polyethylene implant exposure in patients with retinoblastoma following enucleation

Abstract

Background and objective: To report the features and the management of porous polyethylene implant exposure in patients with retinoblastoma following enucleation.

Patients and methods: The medical records of 33 patients (33 sockets) following enucleation and porous polyethylene implantation for retinoblastoma were reviewed.

Results: The mean age at enucleation was 24 months (range, 2 to 85 months). The exposure rate was 33% (11 cases), and the mean time from enucleation to exposure was 15 months (range, 7 to 29 months). One case was resolved only by supportive management, and the remaining 10 were successfully treated with a scleral patch graft and maintained well during a mean follow-up of 15 months after surgical repair. There was no statistical evidence that age, gender, implant size, or chemotherapy had an effect on implant exposure.

Conclusions: Porous polyethylene implant exposure does not seem to be resolved by conservative management. We recommend early surgical management, such as scleral patch graft, as opposed to supportive management.