Hydroxyapatite orbital implant exposure in children.
OBJECTIVE
Hydroxyapatite orbital implants are buried implants that may be integrated into the overlying prosthesis after enucleation. We report problems encountered using these implants during a 14-year period in a pediatric population.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of a pediatric population from 1987 through 2001.


RESULTS
Indications for enucleation (N = 19) included retinoblastoma (n =17), persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (n =1), and painful blind eye (n =1). Conjunctival erosion (36.84%) and consequent implant exposure (15.70%) were the main problems identified in this study. There were no cases of orbital infection. Management included resuturing and scleral patching.


CONCLUSIONS
Conjunctival erosion of hydroxyapatite implants contributed to significant morbidity in 19 children who underwent enucleation and hydroxyapatite orbital implant.
Nolan
Loretta M
LM
The Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
O'keefe
Michael
M
Lanigan
Bernadette
B
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017886:Durapatite / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020273:Orbital Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013537:Sutures
D017886:Durapatite