Scleral and episcleral histological changes related to encircling explants in 20 eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate scleral and episcleral histological alterations induced by encircling explants used in scleral buckling procedures.


METHODS
We performed a histopathological study of 20 enucleated eyes after failure of retinal detachment surgery including encircling scleral buckle.


RESULTS
Nonabsorbable materials were encapsulated and often gave rise to a limited scleral invagination. The inner capsular surface was regular in 10 silicone explants, it was partially covered with hydrogel fragments and a granulomatous foreign body giant cell reaction in 8 hydrogel explants. One Arruga thread was encased in fibrosis and a catgut circle showed no encapsulation. Other changes were mostly related to the long-standing retinal detachment: peripheral anterior synechiae, anterior uveal effusion, persistent retinal detachment, retinal gliosis, retinal atrophy, retinal breaks, and silicone oil droplets.


CONCLUSIONS
All nonabsorbable explants underwent encapsulation and prompted scleral invagination. A granulomatous reaction accompanied hydrogel fragmentation. The long term fragmentation impact on implanted eyes remains unknown.
D'Hermies
F
F
Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France.
Korobelnik
J F
JF
Chauvaud
D
D
Pouliquen
Y
Y
Parel
J M
JM
Renard
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects; D002398:Catgut / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology*; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015422:Scleral Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate