Complications of Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implants (A Review of 110 Consecutive Cases)

ABSTRACT

There are many clinical reports on implant exposure as a complication of hydroxyapatite orbital implantation, but relatively small number of reports have concerned full range of complications that can occur with hydroxyapatite orbital implants. The authors analyzed all the complications associated with the 110 hydroxyapatite orbital implants performed by one surgeon at the department of ophthalmology, Presbyterian Medical Center between January 1993 and June 1998, and discussed the management and progression of them. There were 8 kinds, 40 cases of soft tissue problems, 3 kinds, 20 cases of eyelid problems, and 7 kinds, 27 cases with prosthesis and pegging.Most of them were improved with conservative management and surgical treatments were required in 2 cases with conjunctival wound disruption, 5 cases with implant exposure, 3 cases with overgrowth of subconjunctival granulation tissue, 3 cases with ptosis, 1 case with eyelid laxity, 2 cases with peg extraction, and 4 cases with poor peg position. Surgeons and patients who want to use hydroxyapatite as an orbital implant would be more satisfied with thorough knowledge on many possible complications and their etiology, proper prevention and management.