Repair of exposed porous polyethylene implants utilizing flaps from the implant capsule.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of the use of flaps from the capsule surrounding porous polyethylene implants in repairing large or recurrent implant exposures.


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with exposed porous polyethylene implants.


METHODS
Vertical and horizontal flaps were created from the implant capsule. These flaps were used to create a double layer of closure to seal the exposure. All patients had a minimum follow-up of at least 12 months.


METHODS
Repair of the exposure without recurrence during the follow-up interval, and assessment of complications.


RESULTS
At the last follow-up visit, the socket was completely healed in all but 2 patients. In 1 of them, the implant was subsequently exchanged. Other complications included motility loss, conjunctival cyst, and granuloma formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the implant capsule to salvage exposed porous polyethylene implants is an effective technique; it is associated with some complications that can be minimized by careful case selection.
Tawfik
Hatem A
HA
Department of Ophthalmology, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. hatem35@yahoo.com
Budin
Hamida
H
Dutton
Jonathan J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D020273:Orbital Implants; D020959:Polyethylene; D016062:Porosity; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020959:Polyethylene