Orbital implantation of hydroxyapatite: An analysis of 23 cases / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

This study was designed following eyeball extirpation to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hydroxyapatite and to explore the causes and preventing from exposure during orbital implantation. A total of 23 cases with autologou sclera and muscular suture selected from Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College between January 2005 and December 2007 were retrospectively summarized and analyzed. Seventeen cases were implanted initially and the other 6 cases received secondary implantation. For the implantation with scleral-wrap, a 360? peritomy, limbic sclerotomy and full keratectomy were performed with corneoscleral scissors. Uveal tissue was completely removed. Posterior sclera was radially incised, and the hydroxyapatite orbital implant was implanted. Anterior sclera was sutured completely. Other implantations without using sclera-wrap were performed with the hydroxyapatite orbital implant in muscle cone and four rectal muscles were sutured to the hole of the hydroxyapatite orbital implant. Mattress suture of fascia tissue with double staggered position was performed in all the implantations. Conjunctiva was sutured discontinuously. This implant provided satisfactory functional motility and stability. Two cases developed implant exposure, suggesting that hydroxyapatite was the implant of choice for cosmesis following surgical removal of the eyeball, or enucleation. The complication rate is low and implant exposure, if it occurs, can be easily managed.