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.