Hydroxyapatite orbital implants--our local experience.
Hydroxyapatite orbital implants were first introduced by Arthur Perry in 1985 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for general use in 1989. Since its inception, it has become a popular orbital implant as it combines biocompatibility with improved motility. At the Singapore National Eye Centre, twenty consecutive patients underwent hydroxyapatite implantation from June 1993 to June 1996. Seventeen patients who had a follow-up time of more than 6 months were analysed retrospectively. Sixteen had enucleation while one had evisceration performed. The implant size used was either 18 or 20 mm. Seven primary and 10 secondary hydroxyapatite implants were performed in 17 patients ranging in age from 20 to 65 years. Six consisted of coralline hydroxyapatite while the remaining 11 were made of artificial hydroxyapatite. In the follow-up time of 6 to 16 months (mean 10.2 months), there have been no cases of infection, extrusion or migration. Two patients who had implant exposure were managed surgically with fascia lata grafts and have healed well. It appears that hydroxyapatite is the implant of choice for an anophthalmic socket. It becomes incorporated by the patients own tissues and once vascularised, it is less likely to migrate or extrude. The complication rate is low and implant exposure, if it occurs, can be easily managed.
Fong
K S
KS
Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.
Choo
C T
CT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite