The Effect of Enucleation in Childhood on Orbital Volumetric Growth

Kook, Kyoung Hoon; Choi, Jung Bum; Roh, Mi In; Lee, Sang Yeul

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect on the growth rate of orbital volume of those who received enucleation or evisceration with or without implants, according to different sizes and operation periods. METHODS: The subjects comprised 47 patients who had previously undergone evisceration or enucleation. The volumes of both anophthalmic and normal orbit were measured from CT scans of patients and compared. The relationship between the orbital volume growth rate and the operation at young age with different size implants or operation without implants was evaluated. RESULTS: Five groups, divided by age at operation, were evaluated. Four groups comprising under 12 years of age, had a significant delay in orbital volume growth development (p<0.05). Three groups, divided by size of implants, were evaluated and 17 mm or smaller sized orbital implants showed significant orbital volume growth retardation (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The effect of early enucleation on orbital volume growth should be considered in patients younger than 12 years old. Furthermore, during the operation, implants with sizes larger than 18mm should be used to prevent the retardation of orbital volume growth.