Causes, outcomes, and owner satisfaction of dogs undergoing enucleation with orbital implant placement

Abstract

Objective To describe clinical and histopathologic pre‐operative diagnoses as well as associated post‐operative complications following orbital silicone implantation in dogs undergoing enucleation and evaluate owner satisfaction. Animals studied One hundred and eighty‐six dogs who underwent enucleation with orbital implant. Procedures Medical records from dogs that underwent enucleation with orbital implant performed at Virginia‐Maryland Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2019 were reviewed. Owners were surveyed via telephone regarding client satisfaction. Results Enucleation followed by orbital implant placement occurred in 215 eyes of 186 dogs. The most common pre‐operative diagnoses were glaucoma (68.8%), uveitis (17.7%), cataracts (15.8%), intraocular neoplasia (13.0%), and lens luxation (10.7%). The most common histopathologic diagnoses were retinal degeneration (46.5%), uveitis (39.5%), cataract (29.8%), retinal detachment (27.4%), and secondary glaucoma (26.5%). Fourteen eyes (6.5%) from ten dogs had post‐operative complications reported including orbit cellulitis (n = 11), implant migration (n = 1), and implant extrusion (n = 1). Five of these dogs (50%) had concurrent diabetes mellitus. Median complication time from surgery was 41 days (range: 11–541 days). Ninety‐five owner survey responses were completed with a median time of 6.3 years following surgery. Most owners, 85.3% (n = 81), were satisfied with the post‐operative outcome. Conclusion Enucleation with implantation of an orbital implant is a viable and safe method for irreversibly blind eyes. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for the development of post‐operative complications. Intraocular neoplasia was not associated with development of post‐operative complications. Results of this study indicated high owner satisfaction rates for improving cosmetic appearance after enucleation in dogs.

Unilateral eosinophilic cellulitis leading to implant extrusion after bilateral enucleation in a dog

“…Complication rates are low, and implant extrusion is rare but has occasionally been documented. 2 , 3 Neoplastic or inflammatory orbital processes have led to implant extrusion or displacement in dogs, cats, horses, and people, 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 although to our knowledge this is the first report of implant extrusion secondary to an apparently sterile inflammatory mass lesion in a dog.…”

“…1 Complication rates reported in the literature for orbital implant placement in dogs range from 1% to 6.5%. 2 , 3 Documented complications include implant extrusion or movement, orbital or incisional infection, and incisional dehiscence. 2 , 3 …”

“…2 , 3 Documented complications include implant extrusion or movement, orbital or incisional infection, and incisional dehiscence. 2 , 3 …”

“…1 Complication rates reported in the literature for orbital implant placement in dogs range from 1% to 6.5%. 2,3 Documented complications include implant extrusion or movement, orbital or incisional infection, and incisional dehiscence. 2,3 Here, we present the case of a 4-year-old neutered male mixed breed dog that underwent bilateral transconjunctival enucleation with silicone orbital implant placement due to uncontrolled glaucoma occurring secondary to uveodermatologic syndrome (UDS).…”

“…2,3 Documented complications include implant extrusion or movement, orbital or incisional infection, and incisional dehiscence. 2,3 Here, we present the case of a 4-year-old neutered male mixed breed dog that underwent bilateral transconjunctival enucleation with silicone orbital implant placement due to uncontrolled glaucoma occurring secondary to uveodermatologic syndrome (UDS). Two months later, he developed a partial dehiscence of the left incision site.…”