Porous Polyethylene (Medpor(R)) Channel Implants in Orbital Fracture Repairs

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A porous polyethylene channel implant(PPCI) has internal channels that accept mini- or microplates, using fixation to bone in the large, complex orbital fractures. We assessed the effects of this implants in orbital fracture repairs. METHODS: We assessed the effects of PPCIs in 15 orbital fracture patients of minimal 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Among 15 cases, 9 were men and 6 were women. Average age was 35.7 years. Average followup period was 8.1 months. The surgery was performed less than two weeks after injury in 5 patients and more than two weeks after injury(delayed) in 10 patients. Among these, 13 cases had combined medial and inferior wall fractures, 2 cases had large, posterior inferior wall fractures. Excellent results were obtained in all 13 patients with ocular motility disturbance and diplopia. The mean correction of enophthalmos was 3.1mm. We obtained marked improvement of inferior and medial dystopia in 9 cases. There were no cases of visual loss, implant infection, migration, or exposure. CONCLUSIONS: A PPCI has malleability that permits easy shaping and contouring, and semirigid structures provide structural stability. PPCIs are suited for reconstruction of large fractures(greater than 50%) or posterior fractures which cannot secure fixation without significant complications.