Rehabilitation after surgical treatment for retinoblastoma: ocular prosthesis for a 6-month-old child.

Maxillofacial prosthetic (MFP) rehabilitation can be especially challenging in a young, precooperative, or behaviorally compromised child presenting with an enucleated eye. Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood and is one of the most common pediatric cancers. Treatment consists of enucleation (or removal of the entire globe) followed by placement of orbital implants. Unrestored anopthalmic sockets exhibit growth retardation and can lead to facial disfigurement. This report describes the challenges faced during rehabilitation of a 6-month-old girl with an anophthalmic socket due to enucleation for retinoblastoma. The objective of the MFP team was to provide a custom-built, acrylic ocular prosthesis in as comfortable and atraumatic manner as possible. The case was a success and underscores the value of a multidisciplinary dental approach for the treatment of children with very special needs.