Polytetrafluoroethylene as a spacer graft for the correction of lower eyelid retraction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE, Goretex) containing large pores made with a 21-gauge needle as a graft for the correction of lower lid retraction.


METHODS
e-PTFE grafts were implanted between the tarsus and lower lid retractor via a transconjunctival approach with/without amniotic membrane transplantation, or via a transcutaneous approach. Rabbits were examined and assessed for comeal and conjunctival complications and for e-PTFE graft status. Rabbits were sacrificed for a histological study at 8 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
e-PTFE grafts were uniformly extruded 3 weeks postoperatively in eyelids operated on via the transconjunctival approach. However, rabbits operated on via the transcutaneous approach demonstrated e-PTFE graft retention; in addition, dense fibrovascular ingrowths into the large pores of e-PTFE were observed histologically.


CONCLUSIONS
e-PTFE is a good substitute for other graft materials as a spacer in lower lid retraction operations, especially as an interpositional graft using a transcutaneous approach.
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Jae
YJ
Lee
Sang In
SI
Khwarg
D000818:Animals; D001684:Biological Dressings; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005143:Eyelids / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene