Customized 3D printing: A novel approach to migrated orbital implant

Abstract

This paper describes a novel approach to treat migrated orbital implants post socket surgery. Implant migration may hinder the final aesthetic outcome of a custom ocular prosthesis. Once an implant migrates within the orbit there tends to be fibrosis around the implant. This fibrosis does not allow for centeration of the implant during repeat surgery. Hence treatment of a migrated implant traditionally involves implant removal with dermis fat grafting. Dermis fat graft though an option, needs a second site surgery that may be unacceptable to many patients. Also the rate of graft necrosis is as high as 40%. This paper describes a technique to create a custom orbital implant that allows recenteration of the migrated implant centrally, using 3-dimension (3D) printing and rapid prototyping to construct the patients affected orbit. This orbit is used as a mould to create the custom orbital implant that aids in volume augmentation as well as recenteration of the migrated orbital implant.