OBJECTIVE: Orbital exenteration results in devastating functional, aesthetic and psychological losses. We studied the psycho-social challenges of patients following orbital exenteration. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, eye clinic, Accra. SUBJECTS: Ten surviving patients, at least six months post orbital exenteration. RESULTS: Though all the patients were satisfied with the medical results of the surgery, 50% felt strongly uncomfortable or dissatisfied with the cosmetic effect of the surgery. Sixty percent of the patients suffered unwelcome comments and 50% uncomfortable stare from close friends and relations. Sixty percent were not uncomfortable in the company of friends and close relations. CONCLUSION: Our findings call for a counseling plan for our patients while it is also necessary to find ways of improving their cosmesis.
OBJECTIVE: Orbital exenteration results in devastating functional, aesthetic and psychological losses. We studied the psycho-social challenges of patients following orbital exenteration. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, eye clinic, Accra. SUBJECTS: Ten surviving patients, at least six months post orbital exenteration. RESULTS: Though all the patients were satisfied with the medical results of the surgery, 50% felt strongly uncomfortable or dissatisfied with the cosmetic effect of the surgery. Sixty percent of the patients suffered unwelcome comments and 50% uncomfortable stare from close friends and relations. Sixty percent were not uncomfortable in the company of friends and close relations. CONCLUSION: Our findings call for a counseling plan for our patients while it is also necessary to find ways of improving their cosmesis.
Authors: Luke S McLean; Annette M Lim; Angela Webb; Karda Cavanagh; Alesha Thai; Matthew Magarey; Carly Fox; Stephen Kleid; Danny Rischin Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2022-01-18 Impact factor: 6.244