Bovine pericardium as a wrapping for orbital implants

PURPOSE: We report the use of bovine pericardium as an alternative wrapping for porous orbital implants after enucleation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who received a bovine pericardium-wrapped orbital implant after enucleation by the authors between August 1, 1996, and December 1, 1999. RESULTS: Eighty patients underwent placement of bovine pericardium-wrapped orbital implants. The average age at the time of implantation was 49.3 years (range, 5 years to 83 years). The mean follow-up interval was 11.8 months (range, 2 to 41 months). There were no intraoperative complications. No patient had secondary systemic infection or showed evidence of rejection. There was no clinical evidence to suggest that vascularization of the porous implant was unusually delayed, and there were no complications after secondary drilling and placement of a coupling post. Four (5%) of 80 patients had complications requiring removal of the spherical implant. All 4 patients had hydroxyapatite implants. Two patients had significant exposure requiring removal of the implant at 2 months after surgery; 1 patient had a chronic fistulous tract with secondary infection 3 years after surgery: and 1 patient had chronic orbital pain requiring removal of the implant at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of implant exposure was less than 4%. This compares favorably to the incidence of exposure of 9% to 21% reported in recent literature. Other complications were few and of minimal clinical significance. The authors conclude that bovine pericardium is a viable option to sclera as a wrapping for porous orbital implants.     

Conjunctival melting syndrome associated with the use of bovine pericardium wrapping material

PURPOSE: To report 18 cases of unusually large, early conjunctival breakdown occurring with the use of bovine pericardium wrapping material for orbital implants. METHODS: Retrospective case series. The clinical course and histopathologic features of 18 cases of early conjunctival breakdown in patients who had undergone orbital implantation of bovine pericardium-wrapped hydroxyapatite or porous polyethylene are reviewed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients presented with unusually large (average 13.44 mm) conjunctival defects over bovine pericardium-wrapped implants. The average time from enucleation to exposure was approximately 4 months. Implants had to be removed in 8 of 18 cases. There was clinical and histologic evidence of tissue inflammation and conjunctival melting.CONCLUSIONS: The conjunctival melting phenomenon we report herein is alarming. We have abandoned the use of bovine pericardium as a wrapping material for implants after enucleation because of the unfavorable results.     

Porous orbital implants, wraps, and PEG placement in the pediatric population after enucleation

PURPOSE: To investigate complications of various porous orbital implants and wrapping materials in the pediatric population after enucleation. DESIGN: A retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized study. METHODS: Between November 1992 and November 2006, patients younger than 15 years old were collected for study participation. They underwent enucleation with porous orbital implants primarily or secondarily at National Taiwan University Hospital. The authors used the hydroxyapatite (HA), Medpor, and Bioceramic orbital implant. The HA implant was wrapped with four different materials: donor sclera, Lyodura, porcine sclera, and Vicryl mesh. A part of HA implants and all bioceramic implants were wrapped with Vicryl mesh, added anteriorly with scleral patch grafts. All Medpor implants were unwrapped. RESULTS: Forty-seven cases had more than a two-year follow-up. The exposure rates according to implants and wraps were: donor sclera-wrapped HA (two of nine, 22%), porcine sclera-wrapped HA (three of three, 100%), Vicryl mesh-wrapped HA (one of five, 20%), and unwrapped Medpor (one of four, 25%). No exposure was found in four Lyodura-wrapped HA implants, and 22 Vicryl mesh-wrapped HA and Bioceramic implants with anteriorly scleral coating. The exposure rate was lower in cases with implants wrapped by our method and Lyodura than in those with implants wrapped by other materials (P < .001). Of 47 patients, 20 (42.5%) were fitted with peg-coupled prostheses and all had good prosthetic movements subjectively. CONCLUSIONS: Different types of implants and wraps resulted in various exposure rates in the pediatric population. The modified wrapping technique may prevent porous implants from exposure in children.     

Bovine pericardium versus homologous sclera as wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite ocular implants: an animal study.

PURPOSE: We compared bovine pericardium and homologous sclera as wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants in enucleated New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS: Eighteen rabbits were unilaterally enucleated and the sockets implanted with 10-mm HA spherical implants. Six implants were wrapped with homologous sclera, 6 with bovine pericardium, and 6 were not wrapped. The rabbits were killed 7 weeks later and the sockets were examined clinically for inflammation and implant exposure. Exenterated specimens were assessed histopathologically for inflammation and vascularization. RESULTS: No clinical evidence of implant exposure or extrusion was detected in rabbits receiving sclera or bovine pericardium wrapped implants. Histopathologically, the bovine pericardium displayed more inflammation in its outer portion, as well as more disruption of its lamellar arrangement than did the sclera. Fibrovascular in-growth was complete in all wrapped implants. CONCLUSION: Bovine pericardium behaves similar clinically to homologous sclera as a wrapping material for spherical HA ocular implants in a rabbit model, and may represent a reasonable alternative to sclera in such procedures in humans.     

Mersilene mesh versus sclera in wrapping hydroxyapatite orbital implants

PURPOSE: To compare Mersilene mesh versus sclera in wrapping hydroxyapatite orbital implants used in primary enucleation. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, interventional comparative case series, 60 eyes from 60 consecutive patients were included and randomly allocated for primary enucleation and either Mersilene mesh-wrapped hydroxyapatite (MHA) orbital implant (30 cases, 50%) or sclera-wrapped hydroxyapatite (SHA) orbital implant (30 cases, 50%) under general anesthesia. Complete socket examination was performed at 1 week, 1 month, and then every 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Mean age was not significantly different (P = 0.08) between patients with MHA (36.43 years) and SHA (28.50 years) orbital implants. The most common cause of enucleation was trauma in both groups (P = 0.09). Patients with MHA had significantly (P = 0.005) longer follow-up time (mean, 11.40 months) than those with SHA (mean, 9.40 months). No exposure was found at last follow-up in the MHA group, but one patient in the SHA group had a small exposure (1 x 1 mm) 1 month after surgery that was conservatively treated. There were no significant postoperative soft tissue complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Sclera and Mersilene mesh could be used as a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants without significant complications. Absence of disease transmission, low cost, and availability are the main advantages of Mersilene mesh.     

Auricular cartilage versus donor sclera as a wrapping of hydroxyapatite orbital implants

AIM: To retrospectively compare postoperative outcomes after primary enucleation and placement of a hydroxyapatite(HA) implant without wrapping, wrapped with auricular cartilage or donor sclera. METHODS: Medical records of patients presented as intraocular tumor or severe ocular injury were identified from the electronic medical record system. Cases underwent enucleation and HA orbital implantation were enrolled in this study and were divided into 3 groups according to the wrapping material of HA implant. Cases with autogenous cartilage caps were enrolled in group A(n=11), with donor sclera caps in group B(n=12), and without any wrapping material in group C(n=9). Follow-ups were set at 1, 2 wk, 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after surgery.RESULTS: Altogether 32 cases finished the followup and were enrolled in this study. Three cases(27.27%) in group A, 4 cases(33.33%) in group B, and 4 cases(44.44%) in group C developed one complication each after surgery. In group A, no HA exposure occurred, but conjunctival inclusion cyst occurred in one and severe conjunctive chemosis in two cases. In group B, one HA exposure occurred, conjunctive inclusion cysts occurred in one, severe conjunctive chemosis occurred in one, and conjunctival granuloma occurred in one case. In group C, one HA exposure occurred, severe conjunctive chemosis occurred in two cases, and conjunctival granuloma occurred in one case. The case of exposure of none-wrapped implant was noted in the first 6 mo after placement of the orbital implant. The case of exposure of donor sclerawrapped implant was noted at the 12 mo after placement of the orbital implant. Both exposure cases were treated successfully with conservative treatment.CONCLUSION: With low incidence of implant exposure and mild complications, auricular cartilage can be a good choice of alternative wrapping material of orbit implant with satisfied outcome.     

两种不同羟基磷灰石义眼台植入术的临床观察

目的：比较眼球摘除+义眼台植入+异体巩膜移植术与眼内容物摘除+义眼台巩膜壳内植入术两种手术方式,探讨异体巩膜作为羟基磷灰石义眼台覆盖材料的优点。

方法：临床观察60例60眼,眼球摘除+HA植入覆盖同种异体巩膜者为异体巩膜组30眼,眼内容物摘除+HA自体巩膜壳内植入为自体巩膜组30眼。两组在术后1,3d; 1wk; 1,6mo进行随诊,观察结膜伤口愈合情况以及有无HA眼台的暴露。

结果：异体巩膜组中有6眼结膜伤口裂开,1眼HA眼台暴露。自体巩膜组中有7眼结膜伤口裂开,5眼HA眼台暴露,2例义眼台暴露后取出。

结论：眼球摘除+义眼台植入+异体巩膜移植术用于临床有较多优越性,术后并发症少。     

Micropulse laser trabeculoplasty under maximal tolerable glaucoma eyedrops: treatment effectiveness and impact of surgical expertise

AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of micropulse laser trabeculoplasty(MLT)for eyes with open angle glaucoma(OAG)under maximal tolerable glaucoma eyedrops and to assess the effect of expertise performing MLT on its clinical effectiveness.METHODS:Medical records of 42 consecutive eyes of 34 patients diagnosed with OAG who underwent MLT were retrospectively reviewed.The effectiveness was determined using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Failure was defined as an intraocular pressure(IOP)reduction of<20%from baseline,an IOP>21 mm Hg during two consecutive follow-up visits,or surgical intervention for OAG.To determine the impact of MLT surgical expertise on clinical effectiveness,the eyes were divided into two groups according to whether the procedure was conducted by an experienced specialist(defined as a glaucoma specialist who had conducted at least ten MLT procedures)or a less experienced glaucoma specialist.The difference in expertise was determined using a log-rank test.RESULTS:MLT was conducted by three glaucoma specialists.The overall survival rates were 0.76,0.48,and 0.44 at 1,3,and 6 mo,respectively.The survival rates for MLT performed by a less experienced glaucoma specialist were 0.62,0.31,and 0.25(n=21 eyes)at 1,3,and 6 mo,respectively,whereas the survival rates for MLT performed by an experienced glaucoma specialist were 0.90,0.64,and 0.64(n=21 eyes)at 1,3,and 6 mo,respectively.The log-rank test showed a significant difference in the survival curves of the two groups(P=0.0061).CONCLUSION:The 6-month effectiveness of MLT for controlling IOP is relatively limited in eyes with OAG using maximal tolerable glaucoma eyedrops.However,its effectiveness may be improved if performed by a glaucoma specialist with sufficient MLT experience.     

Polytetrafluoroethylene as a wrapping material for a hydroxyapatite orbital implant

PURPOSE: Porous coralline hydroxyapatite orbital implants have been used with great success in anophthalmic sockets. We used a substitute for donor sclera as a wrapping tissue. METHODS: Orbital implants were wrapped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) instead of homologous donor tissue in five patients after enucleation. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful in three cases. Complications occurred in two cases: one with implant exposure, and one with severe implant infection leading to its eventual removal. CONCLUSIONS: PTFE is inferior to other wrapping tissue.     

Bovine pericardium (Tutopatch) wrap for hydroxyapatite implants

PURPOSE: To evaluate bovine pericardium (Tutopatch) as a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite implants in patients undergoing enucleation for uveal melanoma. METHOD: Prospective cohort study of patients who had enucleation for uveal melanoma between January 2003 and August 2003 were included in the study. Any patient with less than 3 months follow-up was excluded. Enucleation was performed under general anaesthesia followed by insertion of hydroxyapatite implants wrapped in bovine pericardium (Tutopatch). The recti muscles were sutured directly to the wrap. The tenon's capsule and conjunctiva were closed in two layers. A conformer was inserted at 1 week and artificial eye at 2-3 months. The patients were followed up regularly and were assessed for cosmetic result, exposure of implant, and the need for any further surgical procedures. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (seven male and 12 female) were included in the study. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range 38-80 years). Median follow-up was 26 months (range 22-30 months). No patient developed postoperative complications of wound dehiscence. The overall cosmetic result was excellent in all the patients. The rate of postoperative complications compared favourably with published data using other wrapping materials/implants. CONCLUSION: Tutopatch is a safe wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants in patients undergoing enucleation for uveal melanoma.     

Wrapping hydroxyapatite orbital implants with posterior auricular muscle complex grafts

PURPOSE: To report the use of posterior auricular muscle complex grafts as a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants in enucleation surgery. METHOD: In a retrospective multicenter study, autogenous posterior auricular muscle complex grafts were used to cover hydroxyapatite orbital implants in 83 patients with a mean age of 38.6 years (range, 1 to 85 years), of whom 63 had primary unilateral enucleation and 20 had secondary orbital implants following enucleation. The mean follow-up period after posterior auricular muscle complex grafts was 36 months (range, 14 to 60 months). RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, two (2.4%) developed limited orbital implant exposure, which was treated with a second posterior auricular muscle complex "patch graft." No patient developed postoperative orbital infection or implant extrusion. All patients were fitted with an acceptable prosthesis and had satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. No patient developed vascular compromise or a wound defect associated with the posterior auricular donor site. CONCLUSION: Autogenous posterior auricular muscle complex grafts should be considered as an appropriate wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants for primary enucleation and for secondary orbital implants after enucleation.     

Safety of unwrapped spherical orbital implants

PURPOSE: To determine the exposure rate of unwrapped spherical orbital implants after enucleation surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive case series. All patients undergoing orbital implantation during enucleation surgery from October 1999 to September 2003 were included. Charts were reviewed for preoperative diagnoses, type and size of implant, use of a wrapping material, and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-six consecutive patients underwent enucleation surgery without wrapping material. Nineteen patients received porous polyethylene, 5 patients received polymethylmethacrylate, and 2 received hydroxyapatite. Mean implant diameter was 21.03 mm. Mean follow-up was 17.1 months (range, 2 to 43 months). There were no complications of implant extrusion, exposure, infection, or migration. CONCLUSIONS: The use of unwrapped spherical orbital implants may be associated with a low rate of early exposure. Careful choice of implant type may help reduce the risk of implant exposure.     

同种异体脱细胞真皮用于羟基磷灰石眼台覆材料的临床观察

目的比较同种异体脱细胞真皮与同种异体巩膜作为眼球摘除并羟基磷灰石(HA)义眼台植入的覆盖材料术后效果,探讨同种异体脱细胞真皮的临床应用价值。设计回顾性病例系列。研究对象北京同仁医院2003年5月至2005年3月收治的眼球萎缩患者行眼球摘除并HA眼台植入手术患者112例。方法临床观察112例112眼,眼球摘除并HA眼台植入覆盖同种异体巩膜者为异体巩膜组(56眼),覆盖同种脱细胞真皮者为脱细胞真皮组(56眼)。两组在手术后1天、3天、1周、1个月及6个月进行随诊,严密观察结膜伤口愈合情况及有无HA眼台的暴露。主要指标结膜伤口愈合情况、HA眼台暴露情况。结果异体巩膜组中有1眼结膜伤口裂开但无HA眼台暴露。脱细胞真皮组中5眼术后结膜伤口裂开,其中2眼HA眼台暴露。经再次手术治疗后痊愈,但与异体巩膜组比较两组差异无统计学意义。两组均无其他手术并发症出现。结论同种异体脱细胞真皮作为HA眼台的覆盖材料应用于临床其价值得到初步肯定,与同种异体巩膜相同,无术后严重并发症。不易作为传染源的载体及容易获得为其优点,应用这种材料需手术操作更为细心及熟练。(眼科,2007,16:378-381)     

The use of vicryl mesh in 200 porous orbital implants: a technique with few exposures

PURPOSE: To report the results of a wrapping technique for porous orbital implants by using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) mesh (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, U.S.A.). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 200 consecutive patients from one author's practice who received a polyglactin 910 mesh-wrapped porous orbital implant after enucleation or as a secondary implant between October 1, 1996, and April 15, 2001. We recorded potential problems that might be attributed to polyglactin 910 mesh both before pegging (excessive inflammatory response to the material, conjunctival thinning, and implant exposure) and after pegging (exposure of the implant around the sleeve, conjunctival thinning, and implant exposure other than adjacent to the peg). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two men and 78 women underwent placement of a polyglactin 910 mesh-wrapped porous orbital implant. The average age at the time of implantation was 48.9 years (range, 11 to 85 years). The average follow-up interval in the 200 patients was 19.4 months (range, 2 to 80 months). Thirteen of the 200 patients had less than 6 months of follow-up, leaving 187 patients with an average follow-up of 20.5 months (range, 6 to 80 months). There were 76 primary enucleations and 124 secondary orbital implants. Thirty-seven patients received a Bio-Eye hydroxyapatite implant (HA) (Integrated Orbital Implants, San Diego, Calif), 97 received a synthetic FCI hydroxyapatite implant (FCI, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France), and 66 received a Bioceramic implant (aluminum oxide-Al2O3) (FCI, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France). One hundred fourteen patients (57%) underwent peg placement. The average time to pegging was 9.9 months (range, 6 to 16 months). Before pegging, 4 of 187 patients (2.1%) had implant exposure. Three of these exposures followed secondary orbital implant placement (2 Bio-Eye HA, 1 synthetic FCI3 HA) and one followed an enucleation (synthetic FCI3 HA). Two patients required a temporalis fascia graft and one required a scleral patch; the remaining defect closed spontaneously. One patient had conjunctival thinning 6 months after orbital implantation, which remained stable with no frank exposure for 36 months. No patient had excess socket inflammation. After peg placement, 3 additional patients had exposure of the implant around the peg site. There were no cases of conjunctival thinning or exposure of the implant other than adjacent to the peg site. CONCLUSIONS: Polyglactin 910 mesh is an excellent option as a wrapping material for porous orbital implants. It is simple to use, readily available, eliminates the need for donor tissue, does not require a second operative site, and it is less expensive than other currently available wrapping materials. We attribute our high success rate to our technique, which emphasizes proper placement of the implant within the Tenon space, suturing the extraocular muscles anterior to their normal anatomic sites, and meticulous closure of the Tenon capsule and conjunctiva in separate layers.     

Exposure rates of wrapped and unwrapped orbital implants following enucleation.

PURPOSE: To compare the complication rate of porous polyethylene orbital motility implants with solid acrylic implants following enucleation and identify possible risk factors. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of a total of 117 consecutive enucleations performed at the University of Illinois at Chicago between March 28, 1994, and May 28, 1999. Data obtained included patient demographics, surgical indication, implant type, attending surgeon, surgical technique, and any reported complications. The primary outcome was presence or absence of implant exposure at the final recorded visit. RESULTS: Of the 117 identified cases, 29 were eliminated due to insufficient follow-up data. Of the 88 remaining cases, 48 patients received porous implants and 40 received solid acrylic implants. Implant exposure developed in four cases. All exposures occurred in unwrapped porous polyethylene implants (n=2) or porous polyethylene implants wrapped in absorbable material (n=2). All exposures occurred in patients younger than 18 years of age, and 75% occurred early after trauma-associated enucleation surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure rate of porous polyethylene implants in this study (9%) was found to be comparable to published rates for hydroxyapatite implants. There were no exposures of unwrapped solid acrylic spheres. Unwrapped porous implants in pediatric patients or following trauma-related enucleation may represent an increased risk for postoperative implant exposure. Absorbable wrapping of porous implants may carry the same risk for exposure as no wrapping. Porous implants wrapped in durable material appear to be as safe as solid acrylic spheres.     

Use of bovine pericardium as a wrapping material for hydroxyapatite orbital implants

AIM: To present the results of 27 patients who had enucleation for malignant melanoma of the choroid with hydroxyapatite implant wrapped in bovine pericardium. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on 27 patients, 12 males and 15 females, who had enucleation as a primary treatment for their choroidal melanomas. The patients were followed up at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and then every 6 months. A conformer was fitted at 1 week and an artificial eye at 1 month. The average follow up was 1.7 years. RESULTS: No patient had extrusion of the implant. One patient needed repair of the wound, two patients required a lateral tarsal strip, and one patient developed a conjunctival granuloma, which did not need excision. In one patient there was shallowing of the inferior fornix. The cosmetic results and ocular movement were satisfactory in all but one patient. CONCLUSION: Use of bovine pericardium as wrapping material for the hydroxyapatite implants has shown promising results with minimal extrusion rates providing an effective alternative for sclera, eliminating the potential risks of CJD.     

前巩膜片技术预防多孔材料义眼座植入的暴露

目的探讨在眼球摘除后多孔材料义眼座前部增加一巩膜片植入眼眶后预防暴露的有效性。方法美国Ore-gon州OHSU医学院Casey Eye Institute眼科研究所眼面部整形外科从2000年1月至2009年1月,John D Ng医生的162例（170眼）眼球摘除合并眼眶内植入有孔材料,使用前巩膜片技术（在多孔义眼座的前部缝合一7.5 mm×7.5 mm的巩膜片,并将四条直肌缝在巩膜片上）。根据病例资料,眼疾诊断,手术操作技术,先前眼科手术史,植入物的大小,随访时间,植入后并发症等,观察统计义眼暴露率及并发症。结果植入暴露发生7例,7眼（4.12%,7/170）。其中一例发生在早期（〈6个月）,6例发生在晚期（〉6个月）。这7例中1例给于抗生素及结膜切除手术,暴露得到修复;另外6例结膜撕裂较大未能得到修复,遂取出义眼座植入一新的前部缝有巩膜片的义眼座。这7例经过1a以上的随访,未出现再次暴露。结论巩膜片在移植物的前表面可以作为一种屏障,在预防暴露方面具有一定的有效性。     

Hydroxyapatite implant wrapping materials: analysis of fibrovascular ingrowth in an animal model

PURPOSE: To compare the influence of seven currently available spherical orbital implant wraps on host fibrovascularization of a hydroxyapatite (HA) orbital implant. METHODS: Five groups of 3 (15 total) adult male New Zealand albino rabbits underwent enucleation with placement of a 12-mm HA implant wrapped in high-porosity expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE), processed bovine pericardium, or processed human pericardium, sclera, or fascia lata. Magnetic resonance imaging before and after the intravenous administration of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA, 0.1 mol/kg) was performed immediately before exenteration. Five rabbits (one with each of the different implant wraps) were killed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and the operated socket was exenterated. Histopathologic sections of the implants were then compared with the results of our previous study using polyglactin 910 mesh and autologous sclera as HA orbital implant wraps. RESULTS: Complete fibrovascularization of all the implants occurred by 12 weeks; however, HA implants wrapped with sclera, polyglactin mesh, and e-PTFE appeared to undergo more rapid fibrovascularization than spheres wrapped with other materials. CONCLUSIONS: Although all of the implant wraps studied may be suitable substitutes for donor sclera, we prefer polyglactin mesh because it is readily available, inexpensive, and without risk of transmissible diseases.     

Complications of sclera-covered enucleation implants

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of complications associated with the use of donor human sclera to cover porous and nonporous enucleation implants. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 207 patients receiving donor scleral-covered implants during a standardized enucleation procedure. RESULTS: There was a single case of exposure among the 112 patients (0.9%) receiving nonporous implants. None of the 95 porous implants (0%) demonstrated primary exposure. Conditions leading to the removal of 3 of the 207 (1.4%) implants included primary exposure (n = 1), secondary exposure after peg insertion (n = 1), and postoperative pain (n = 1). Two patients (1%) required postoperative tarsorrhaphies to control chemosis. Conjunctival granulomas developed in 2 patients (1%). Asymptomatic implant rotation was observed in 31% (5/16) of patients receiving flattened porous implants. There were no cases of implant migration or prolonged inflammation related to the covering material. CONCLUSIONS: Donor sclera covering of both porous and nonporous enucleation implants appears to be a successful surgical technique associated with few serious complications. The potential benefits of this technique must be balanced by the increased cost of the wrapping material and the rare but potential risk of transmitting infectious disease.     

Porous implant exposure: Incidence, management, and morbidity

PURPOSE: To identify what factors may predispose patients to exposure of porous anophthalmic implants and to determine the outcome of exposed porous implants. METHODS: Examination of pooled data obtained through a PubMed literature search of English-language publications from 1989 through 2004 using the key words enucleation, evisceration, and socket reconstruction. RESULTS: Porous implants were inserted in 80% (3012 of 3777) of the cases identified from 49 publications. The difference in exposure rate between coralline hydroxyapatite (4.9%) and porous polyethylene (8.1%) implants is primarily related to a higher reported complication rate of uncovered porous polyethylene implants, particularly in retinoblastoma patients. Other techniques associated with increased exposures include wrapping implants with bovine pericardium or polyglactin mesh. Evisceration and secondary procedures did not have statistically different complication rates compared with enucleation. There are more late exposures of porous polyethylene than coralline hydroxyapatite implants. Spontaneous healing of exposures occurred in 13% (19 of 145) of cases. Covering exposures with patch grafts underneath vascularized conjunctival flaps was the most successful method of surgical repair. Implant removal was necessary after 29% (42 of 145) of exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Although the published literature between 1989 and 2004 reports higher complication rates for uncovered porous implants and implants wrapped with bovine pericardium or polyglactin mesh, pooling data from different studies may mask very good or poor results obtained by individual surgeons. Spontaneous healing of exposed porous implants is relatively uncommon. However, many exposed porous implants can be salvaged with secondary repair.