PRIMARY ENDOPROSTHETIC REPLACEMENT OF THE ANOPHTHALMIC ORBIT IN PATIENTS WITH UVEAL MELANOMA: SIX-YEAR FOLLOW-UP RESULTS

A locomotor stump was formed in 36 patients (28 women and 8 men), by implanting an endoprosthesis for enucleation of the eyeball with uveal melanoma (UM). The indication for endoprosthesis implantation was no signs of extrabulbar growth. A modified 17–19 mm silicone implant covered with strips from a dura mater graft and medical mesh fabric was used as an orbital implant. The follow-up was 3 to 72 months (mean 32.5 months). All the patients achieved a satisfactory cosmetic effect. None patient was found to have a recurrent orbital tumor. Out of the complications, anterior implant surface denudation was noted in 4 patients. Two patients developed metastases. The absence of recurrent orbital UM at a 6-year follow-up enables primary endoprosthetic replacement of the orbit for UM to be regarded as a safe and reasonable method for patient cosmetic rehabilitation.