Abstract
In the treatment of secondary deformities of anophthalmic orbits after severe trauma, free flap transfer is adopted for patients with eyelid and / or orbital rim defects. For some, however, free flap transfer is a requisite although no such defects are present. Here, we retrospectively review cases for which free flap transfer was carried out for secondary deformities of post-traumatic anophthalmic orbits without eyelid / orbital bone defects. From 1999 to 2008, seven patients with secondary deformities of post-traumatic anophthalmic orbits without eyelid or orbital bone defects were treated at Kobe University Hospital. Of the seven, three were treated with free flap transfers: two with a free forearm flap because of the inability to wear an eye prosthesis subsequent to the sudden onset of severe contracture of the eye socket, and one with a denuded DIEP flap for upper eyelid depression attributed to severe lack of and contracture of subcutaneous tissue. Even when the eyelid and the orbital bone are not injured, progressive contraction of the eye socket and severe lack of subcutaneous tissue are indications for free flap transfer in the treatment of secondary deformities of post-traumatic anophthalmic orbits.
