Experimental evaluation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for reconstruction of orbital floor defects.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the efficacy of a medical grade expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) sheet for reconstruction of the orbital floor.


METHODS
Orbital floor defects were created in 10 domestic sheep and reconstructed with the 1-mm thick e-PTFE sheet. The surgical sites were evaluated for the development of enophthalmos and biocompatibility at 2 weeks, and at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-months intervals.


RESULTS
The results of this indicate that the e-PTFE material has excellent handling characteristics, provides stability to correct surgically created enophthalmos, and causes essentially no foreign body reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene proved to be an excellent alloplastic material for the repair of orbital floor defects in this experimental study.
Hanson
L J
LJ
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, 464th Medical Detachment, Landstuhl, Germany.
Donovan
M G
MG
Hellstein
J W
JW
Dickerson
N C
NC
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D015841:Enophthalmos / Q000209:etiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000209:etiology; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016348:Osseointegration; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012756:Sheep
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene