J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2007 Jan;48(1):117-124.

Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene as a Wrapping Material for Porous Polyethylene Orbital Implant

• Kim SJ
• Khwarg SI
• Choung HK

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the possibility of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) as a wrapping material for porous polyethylene orbital implant.
METHODS
Two groups of 6 female New Zealand albino rabbits underwent enucleation with placement of a 12 mm porous polyethylene orbital implant wrapped in simple e-PTFE in one group (group 1) and macro-porous e-PTFE in the other group (group 2). Histopathologic sections of the implants obtained at 4, 6, 8 weeks were compared on the extent of fibrovascular ingrowth, percentage of the area of proliferated vessel, and grade of fibrosis between the two groups.
RESULTS
There was no implant exposure or severe inflammation in group 1 and 2 during the observation. The extent of fibrovascular ingrowth differs only at 4 weeks. Group 1 showed less fibrovascular ingrowth (until outer 1/3) at anterior half compared with posterior one, but there was no difference between anterior and posterior half in group 2 (until middle 1/3). The percentage of the area of the proliferated vessels was higher in group 2 than group 1 at both anterior and posterior half, and the anterior/posterior ratio of the area of vessels was also higher in group 2 than group 1. The grade of fibrosis was higher in group 2 than group 1 at 4, 6, and 8 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
Macro-porous e-PTFE almost didn't disturb fibrovascular ingrowth into the orbital implant, so macro-porous e-PTFE can be used safely as a wrapping material for porous polyethylene orbital implant.

Keyword

Expanded Polyetetrafluoroethylene; Porous polyethylene orbital implant; Wrapping material

MeSH Terms

Female
Fibrosis
Humans
Inflammation
New Zealand
Orbit*
Orbital Implants*
Polyethylene*
Polytetrafluoroethylene*
Rabbits
Polyethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene