Clinical characterization and long-term postoperative outcomes of retinoblastoma patients receiving enucleation and primary orbital implantation in early infancy: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively investigate clinical characterization and the long-term postoperative outcomes of retinoblastoma (RB) patients receiving enucleation with primary orbital implantation in early infancy (0-6 months old).

METHODS

The clinical and follow-up data of 42 RB patients receiving enucleation with primary orbital implantation in early infancy at Beijing Tongren Hospital from December 2009 to January 2020 were analysed. The average follow-up time was 83 months. The patient group included 24 males and 18 females, 30 unilateral and 12 bilateral cases. A total of 44 eyes with 10 in stage D and 34 in stage E underwent 40 unilateral and 2 bilateral surgeries. 17 RB eyes received hydrogel and 27 RB eyes received hydroxyapatite implants. This study was performed by following the guideline of STROBE.

RESULTS

Enucleation combined with primary orbital implantation promoted survival and was safe with few and minor complications such as increased secretion, upper eyelid ptosis, and sunken eye sockets which were not affected by stages, lateralities, or implant materials. 55-80% RB patients exhibited satisfactory appearance and obvious or moderate motility of orbital implants according to the evaluation by doctors and family members. Family members were likely more optimistic about the appearance and more pessimistic about motility of the orbital implantation than doctors did.The quality of life was high as indicated by PedsQL3.0 or PedsQL4.0 scores ( ≧ 90 for > 75% patients). It was not affected by the stages, laterality, and implant materials, nor affected by the appearance and motility of the implants.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of the combination of enucleation and primary orbital implantation for pertinent RB patients in early infancy are generally satisfactory with few and minor complications, high safety, appearance, and overall quality of life. Enucleation combined with primary orbital implantation in early infancy benefits pertinent RB patients in appearance, survival, and quality of life.