title: [Keratoprosthesis: study of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support].
abstract: Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (E. PTFE) is an inert vitreous teflon alloplast with a high biocompatibility. It is able to be ingrowth by fibrovascular tissue. Very good results are reported in vascular, abdominal and reconstructive surgery and this suggests a possible use in keratoprosthesis. In this purpose, its tolerance and its embedding in the corneal tissues have been studied. Eight perforating keratoplasties are performed in the rabbit with a diameter of 5 mm. A disk of E. PTFE was sutured on the cornea and examined clinically, histologically and by scanning electron microscopy from 1 to 50 days after the operation. Corneal implants are well tolerated but microscopic examination does not show evidence of fibrovascular ingrowth. A full thickness corneal implant seems uneffective in the absence of a conjunctival flap.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôtel-Dieu, Paris.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Legeais
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Renard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene
vernacular_title: Kératoprothèse: étude d'un support en polytétrafluoroéthylène expansé.