Enucleation and evisceration in pediatric population

Objective: To analyze the results from 111 pediatric patients who underwent enucleation or evisceration at Barraquer Clinic, during 11 years (1990- 2000), determining the kind of correction used and complications associated with the procedure.Methods: Retrospective study of medical records from all patients under 18 years who underwent mentioned surgery. Demographic data, diagnosis, associated ophthalmic surgeries, implants or grafts characteristics, follow up period and postoperative complications were determined in all patients. Results: A total of 55 enucleations and 56 eviscerations were done. In only one case neither implant nor graft was placed. During the first 4 years of the study, lipodermal grafts corresponded to 25,45% and nylon implants to 72,72% of the totality, while in the last 7 years hydroxyapatite implants corresponded to 78,57% of the cases. 17 patients (15,32%) had complications that required surgical correction, with no significant statistical difference between the types of corrections placed. Conclusions: Hydroxyapatite implants give an excellent anophthalmic orbit reconstruction for pediatric population, and improve esthetic and motility results. Other correction types like lipodermal grafts still constitute an excellent alternative in our environment, considering their lower costs. Although we observed some complications with the different correction methods, only a few cases required surgical intervention. The rate of complications increased in younger patients.