The use of self-inflating hydrogel expanders in pediatric patients with congenital microphthalmia in China

PurposeTo report the results of enlarging orbital volume in consecutive cases of severe congenital microphthalmia by means of solid hydrophilic tissue expanders.MethodsThe medical records of consecutive patients with congenital microphthalmia who underwent the placement of a hydrogel expander were retrospectively reviewed. Main outcome measures were orbital tissue expansion, prosthetic retention, and patient family satisfaction.ResultsA total of 17 patients were included in the study. All patients were able to retain an ocular prosthesis. The horizontal palpebral length increased from 71.3% of the contralateral unaffected eye to 85.4% of the contralateral unaffected eye. The expansion of orbital volume was assessed in seven patients. The volume of the microphthalmic orbits was expanded from 74.7% of the contralateral unaffected orbits to 83.5% of the contralateral unaffected orbits. Aesthetic results were satisfactory to both physicians and patient families. The following complications were noted in two patients: inferior migration of a spherical expander occurred in one case; a hemispheric expander was removed by the patient in another case.ConclusionsHydrogel implants can successfully expand the dimensions of the conjunctival sac and the orbit in cases of severe congenital microphthalmia.