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Oral mucous membrane graft enables prosthesis wear after socket contracture in patients treated for uveal melanoma
Approximately 40% of patients with uveal melanoma who received high-dose radiotherapy after enucleation experienced severe socket contracture and were unable to wear a prosthesis, but the use of an oral mucous membrane graft enabled resumption of prosthesis wear, according to a study.
“The present study suggests that severe socket contraction is a fairly frequent occurrence after high-dose irradiation of the anophthalmic socket in patients with uveal melanoma. Surgical correction of severe socket contracture using oral mucous membrane grafting can be successful and can permit resumption of prosthesis wear,” the study authors said.
The study reviewed medical records of 68 consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective uveal melanoma tissue-banking protocol at a single institution who underwent enucleation between January 2003 and December 2010.
Twelve study participants received external beam radiation therapy at the completion of standard enucleation. Five of these patients (41.7%) experienced severe socket contracture precluding prosthesis wear. Two of the five patients declined reconstructive surgery, while three patients underwent a procedure in which an oral mucous membrane graft was sutured to surrounding tissue in the orbital socket. Significant improvement of socket contracture was seen in the three operated patients, and they were all able to resume prosthesis wear.