Risk factors associated with repair of orbital and lateral skull defects.

OBJECTIVE To explore the complications and associated risks factors after orbital exenteration and lateral skull base defect repair. METHODS Patients who had undergone a reconstruction of their orbital cavity and lateral skull base defects were selected from our departmental database. The outcome of interest was postoperative complications. The risks factors were defined as age, sex, history of radiation therapy, and intracranial involvement (with and without dural involvement). Information was collected on the type of reconstruction used after the orbital cavity repair. The χ(2) test and logistic regression were used to analyze associations between postoperative complications and the various risks factors. RESULTS Of the 32 identified patients, 19 had intracranial involvement (9 with dural involvement). Twenty-four patients underwent reconstruction with free tissue transfer in the same setting. Reconstruction with free tissue transfer was significantly associated with fewer major postoperative complications (P < .053). There was a trend toward more complications with a history of radiation therapy or intracranial involvement. CONCLUSIONS Reconstruction of the orbital cavity and lateral skull base can be challenging, especially if there is a history of radiation therapy and intracranial involvement. Free tissue transfer is a safe and effective method for reconstruction of such defects.