Management of the eye socket in cancer of the paranasal sinuses.

There are several basic techniques for obtaining acceptable closure of the orbital defect following exenteration. The approach to reconstructing a socket in the method chosen should be the one that gives the best cosmetic result while not compromising the surgical excision and the possibility of cure. Few surgeons have attempted to correct the deformity of orbital exenteration so that an artificial eye can be worn. We have found that approximately 20% of those patients undergoing radical ablation of the orbit quality for simultaneous reconstruction of the eye socket. The technique of a cheek-eyelid-conjunctiva flap allows for immediate reconsturction of the eye socket and the fitting of a prosthesis.