[Polytetrafluoroethylene in scleral buckling surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the tolerance of PTFEe (second generation) for scleral buckling (SB) surgery of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).


METHODS
We have used a new material: wide porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFEe) for SB of 32 cases with rhegmatogenous RD of extention </= 2 quadrants of retina, without PVR o with PVR </= C(2) and always as first surgical procedure. Follow-up has been between 6 and 26 months (average 14 months). This material is a smooth, unstretchable, strong, not carcinogenical and not allergenic inert vitreous teflon alloplast with a high biocompatibility. It is close to Gore-tex but differs from it for a higher porosity (over 90%) and a wider diameter of its pores (over 50 mu).


RESULTS
We have not found any complications such as migration, infection, erosion, extrusion, intrusion, etc, with this material used as SB in 32 cases with rhegmatogenous RD. It demonstrated excellent tolerance and biocompatibility over all follow-up period (average 14 months, maximum 26 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The first results of this series are very encouraging. With short-term follow-up (maximun 26 months) the tolerance has been better than with other SB biomaterials. Long follow-up will detect other possible side effects.
Roldán Pallarés M
Departamento de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, UCM, Madrid, España.
Awad-El Susi S
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene