Purpose

After enucleation, if the fornix disappears due to sac contraction of any cause, the patient cannot wear a prosthesis, thereby suffering significant social and societal disadvantages. We would like to present the effective method of conjunctival sac enlargement with a device invented by István Csapody (Csapody plasty, Csapody device).

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Methods

The two fornix are prepared by making a horizontal incision in the base of the eye socket. A full-thickness skin flap is taken from the forearm and sutured to the Csapody device. This is inserted into the created eye socket and the skin is sutured to the edge of the conjunctiva. All operations were performed under local anesthesia, operating time was 80-100 min. The device was removed after 8 days and a prosthesis is immediately inserted. Further eyelid reconstruction was performed after a month if needed.
In the past 20 years, we have used the Csapody device to enlarge the conjunctival sac in 36 cases, 33 patients (we repeated the surgery in 3 cases). Enucleation was performed due to tumor in 17, trauma in 11, and other reasons in 7 cases. In 19 cases, several unsuccessful conjunctival sac operations were previously performed in another institute. 12 cases needed additional eyelid reconstructions within 6 months.

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Results

33 operations were successful (the last control after surgery was: 47.64 ± 63.23 months), 3 cases could not wear prothesis.

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Conclusion

Csapody plasty is a safe and effective solution for enlarging a contracted conjunctival sac.

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Additional Authors

First name	Last name	Base Hospital / Institution
Dóra	Lauter	Péterfy Sándor Hospital, Budapest
Balázs	Vogt	Péterfy Sándor Hospital, Budapest
Péter	Vámosi	Péterfy Sándor Hospital, Budapest

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