Efficacy of transconjunctival excision of orbital fat prolapse: a long‐term follow‐up study

Abstract

. Purpose: To describe the long‐term efficacy of transconjunctival excision of subconjunctival orbital fat prolapse. Methods: Retrospective study of consecutive cases of orbital fat prolapse treated with transconjunctival resection between December 2002 and December 2011. Results: Thirty‐two eyes of 23 patients (19 males and four females) were included. The lesion was unilateral in 14 and bilateral in nine cases. It was located superotemporally in a majority of cases. Excision was performed by opening the conjunctiva and excising the prolapsing orbital fat. The conjunctival wound was closed with 1–2 interrupted sutures. With an average follow‐up of 29 months (range 4–108), a recurrence was seen in three cases. The average time to recurrence was 46 months (range 40–52 months). Conclusion: Transconjunctival excision is a simple, safe and effective primary surgical procedure to treat subconjunctival fat prolapse. In our series, the recurrence rate was 9%, but no additional surgery was required. As the average time to recurrence was longer than our average follow‐up, more patients may develop a recurrence in future.

Long-term outcome of conjunctival fixation sutures to the sclera for prolapsed subconjunctival orbital fat

“…7 Moreover, these recurrences occurred later (51 and 101 months) compared with the other surgical technique (40, 47 and 52 months). 7 Recurrent cases showed clinically acceptable outcomes and the patients were satisfied without further management.…”

“…5 Transconjunctival fat excision is the simple technique 1,2,6 with a recurrence rate as high as 9%. 7 Otaka and Kyu 5 reported surgical technique of conjunctival fixation to the sclera without fat excision in a small number of patients; however, pushing herniated fat posteriorly without volume reduction requires extensive effort and its longterm outcome was not evaluated. Therefore, we have proposed a new surgical technique in which transconjunctival fat excision is combined with conjunctival fixation to the sclera.…”

A simplified surgical technique for correction of orbital adipose prolapse in the horse

“…All cases with recurrence report a mass significantly smaller than the first lesion and none required a second surgery (Siban et al . ). The last follow‐up in this case was 15 months post operatively, at which time no recurrence was reported.…”

Diagnosis and Excision of Subconjunctival Herniation of Orbital Fat

“…1,6 Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, transconjunctival excision of the herniated fat is the treatment of choice, as its recurrence rates are very low. 1,8 …”

“…When the lesion causes a cosmetic concern and discomfort or interrupts normal ocular function, the excess orbital fat can be excised through a transconjunctival incision. 1,8 …”