Histologic analysis of bioabsorbable scleral buckling implants: an experimental study on rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze histologically tissue reactions to bioabsorbable PLA96 in rabbit eyes.


METHODS
Scleral buckling operations were carried out in 48 rabbits. Two materials were used: bioabsorbable PLA96 (polylactide 96/4; L/D molar ratio 96/4) and silicone sponge. One eye of each rabbit was operated on and the other eye served as a nonoperated control. After follow-up times of 1, 3, 5, and 12 months, the rabbits were killed and the eyes enucleated for histology.


RESULTS
All rabbits recovered well. Histologically, tissue reactions were very localized; implant fragments were not seen within the sclera. The amounts of fibrous tissue and inflammatory cells (mainly macrophages) inside the implant area increased over time. One rabbit from the silicone group was killed 4 months postoperatively owing to refusal to eat. In the PLA96 group, acute or chronic infections occurred in four rabbits. The bioabsorbable implant was macroscopically easily detectable at 12 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The PLA96 material used for scleral buckling in rabbits showed good biocompatibility. The material did not undergo biodegradation during the follow-up period of 12 months. PLA96 implants were associated with thicker fibrous tissue encapsulation and more inflammatory cells compared with silicone sponge implants.
Länsman
Satu
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Tampere University of Technology, Finland. satu.lansman@oulu.fi
Pääkkö
Paavo
P
Ryhänen
Jorma
J
Hirvelä
Heli
H
Kellomäki
Minna
M
Ellä
Ville
V
Törmälä
Pertti
P
Waris
Timo
T
Ashammakhi
Nureddin A
NA
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; C033616:poly(lactide)