Outcome of eviscerations and enucleations at a Swedish tertiary referral centre between 2008 and 2019: improved surgical management leading to reduced complication rate

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the results of all eviscerations and enucleations performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, during 2008–2019 and to compare them with previously collected data from 1999 to 2007. Methods This was a retrospective investigation using the medical records for all patients having had an evisceration or an enucleation at the Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, during the two defined periods of time. Main outcome measure was postoperative complications. Results During 1999–2007, 181 surgeries were performed, 100 with implants, and 28/100 exposed implants and 9/100 removed implants were recorded during follow-up. During 2008–2019, 250 operations were performed with 158 implants, and there were 3/158 exposed implants and 2/158 extruded implants. Two ruptures of the surgical wound without implant exposure were noted, and one implant was exchanged. The reduction of exposed implants between the two periods was statistically significant (p < .001, Chi-square test). In enucleations, the use of one kind of porous polyethylene implant in the recent study period replaced a multitude of implants in the earlier study period. In eviscerations, the major change between the two study periods was the introduction of the split sclera technique and smaller implant size. Conclusion The change in surgical technique between the two periods led to a significant reduction in implant-related complications.