title: [A clinical study of polytetrafluoroethylene (polytef) as a substitute for conjunctiva].
abstract: Burn, tumor or congenital reasons may cause coloboma of conjunctiva. We were seeking for a thin membrane to cover the coloboma that would make the survival peripheral conjunctiva to grow and self-repair so that mucosa transplantation could be avoided. A polytetrafluoroethylene membrane of 0.1 mm thickness, 2-3 mm larger in diameter than the coloboma was sutured in place. After 2-3 weeks the membrane was removed. A total of 16 patients underwent the operation. Of them there were 2 of plasmacytoma, 5 of symblepharon, 6 of contracture of socket of eyeball and 3 of complex pterygium. In two to three weeks, the region of coloboma of conjunctiva was found being repaired. On an average 12 months' follow-up study, the eyeball movements in all cases were normal and the eyes looked symmetric. No symblepharon was found. We conclude that the polytetrafluoroethylene is a non-toxic, smooth, non-adhesive and non-distort substance resistant to high and low temperatures. When used as a substitute for conjunctiva at the region of coloboma of conjunctiva, it makes the peripheral normal conjunctiva tissues to grow and repair the coloboma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Hubei Medical University, Wuhan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene