Comparison between the Exposure Rates of Tutoplast(R) and Vicryl Mesh Used as Wrapping Materials for Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the exposure rates of two wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants (Tutoplast(R) vs. vicryl mesh). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 137 eyes of 137 patients who had received intraorbital HA implantation from March 1997 to March 2001. RESULTS: We used Tutoplast(R) in 72 patients and vicryl mesh in 65 patients. The mean follow-up period was 22.1 months. Implant exposure developed in four cases of eyes using vicryl mesh. No case of exposure occurred in eyes using Tutoplast(R). The mean period from operation and implant exposure was 3.5 weeks (1.5~5 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: When vicryl mesh was used as the wrapping material for HA intraorbital implant it is advisable to pay more attention to the possible postoperative implant exposure than when Tutoplast(R) was used.