Introduction
The emotional distress which frequently accompanies the removal of an eye is reduced considerably by a cosmetic final result. The appearance of the prosthesis will be enhanced and its mobility will be improved if a buried orbital implant is inserted (see Ch. 13 ) following an evisceration or enucleation.
12.1
Evisceration with removal of the cornea
Make a 360 degree conjunctival incision and recess the conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule for a few millimetres from the limbus. Make a 360 degree limbal incision to remove the cornea – start with a scalpel blade or Graefe knife and complete the incision with scissors.
Remove the ocular contents with an evisceration spoon and ensure complete removal of all pigmented tissue by careful cleaning of the scleral envelope.
Make two scleral relieving incisions on opposite sides of the limbus to allow the placement of a 22 mm ball implant within the scleral envelope.
Identify the optic nerve head. Cut around it to separate it from the remaining sclera. A Colorado cutting diathermy needle or a Surgitron (Ellman) radiofrequency needle is a convenient instrument for this but a scalpel may be used instead.
Make relieving incisions at opposite points in the circular defect created by separation of the optic nerve. The intraconal fat is now clearly seen.
Place a 22 mm sizer (see Figs 5.13 , 13.1aA ) or acrylic ball ( 13.1aB ) into the scleral envelope to check that it can be accommodated. Using an introducer, if available, insert the implant into the sclera, ensuring that it is placed well posteriorly, within the posterior sclera and anterior intraconal fat.
Close the sclera over the implant with 6/0 absorbable sutures. If any of the ball is exposed place a patch of donor sclera over the repair (see 13.10 ).
Close Tenon’s capsule and the conjunctiva in two layers with 7/0 absorbable sutures, burying the knots. Place a conformer in the socket.
Chemosis and lid oedema are common after evisceration. Providing infection does not occur the swelling will settle without treatment.
The risk of sympathetic ophthalmitis in the fellow eye is extremely small but during the follow-up period the fellow eye should be examined.
12.2
Enucleation
Reflect the conjunctiva from the limbus for 360 degrees. Locate and detach the rectus muscles, placing a suture through each tendon for later identification.
Detach the oblique muscles and tag the inferior oblique for later reattachment. Introduce an artery clip or snare along the nasal side of the globe. Clamp and cut the optic nerve. Traction on 4/0 sutures placed through the original rectus muscle insertions facilitates removal of the globe.
