The fat pad in dermis fat grafts.

[BACKGROUND] Dermis fat grafts are used in orbital reconstruction in a variety of procedures. However, there have been few controlled studies testing their effectiveness. This is a prospective study on 40 patients.

[METHODS] Primary and secondary orbital dermis fat grafts were evaluated with regard to the long-term cosmetic results of two thicknesses, 10 and 20 mm, of fat pad, keeping all other parameters as constant as possible. Adequacy of the socket, lid anomalies; superior sulcus deformity, exophthalmometry, and motility of the prosthesis were assessed periodically.

[CONCLUSION] There was a significantly lower incidence of enophthalmos and superior sulcus deformity with the use of a fat pad thickness of 20 mm, without any compromise in the motility of the prosthesis or take of the graft.