COSMETIC OUTCOME OF DERMOFAT GRAFT TO ANOPHTHALMIC ORBIT

http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.02.514

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As a severe and uncommon kind of eye absence, anophthalmia presents challenges
for oculoplastic surgery due to potential consequences for both function and appearance. Dermofat graft
(DFG)1 is a novel technique for anophthalmic orbit repair that offers advantages in terms of both
appearance and functionality. However, literature demonstrating long-term cosmetic results is scarce to
date and thus further studies are warranted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cosmetic outcome of
dermofat graft (DFG) to treat anophthalmic orbit, in order to achieve a natural orbital reconstruction
with acceptable facial appearance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This Prospective cohort study was
carried out at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from June 2021 to December 2023. Twenty-seven
adults 18-65 years of age with unilateral anophthalmia were enrolled. All of the dermofat graft surgeries
were performed under general anesthesia. Data was collected through preoperative assessment,
intraoperatively and monitor of post-operative evaluation at monthly intervals up to 06 months.
Descriptive statistics: Student T test was used for the analysis of continuous variables and frequency
distributions were calculated in terms of percentages to compare groups using SPSS 23.0. RESULTS:
Twenty-four (88.9%) of 27 patients were ultimately functional successes and cosmetically satisfied with
their eye prosthesis following dermofat grafting. At 6 month follow up, cosmetic improvements were
maintained in 92.5% of cases with minimal complications reported. Perhaps most remarkably, patient
satisfaction with cosmetic results was a robust 91.7%. Of the 27 patients, three (11.1%) were managed
by enucleation and 24 (88.9%), by evisceration. CONCLUSION: Dermofat grafts in anophthalmic
orbit reconstruction lead to satisfactory functional results with marked improvement cosmetically and
excellent patient satisfaction. Cosmetic outcomes were further enhanced by combining grafts with
orbital implants.