title: Temporary Gortex (polytetrafluoroethylene) spacer for the treatment of fornix shortening following severe alkali chemical injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gortex is an inert, smooth, flexible material, which is well tolerated in situ. We describe a case of fornix shortening secondary to alkali injury, which was treated successfully with a temporary Gortex patch.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A patient with Grade IV chemical injury developed significant symblepharon formation 47 days after the initial injury. Following an initial failed mucous membrane graft the patient had a Gortex patch sutured into the upper lid fornix which acted as a spacer to allow epithelisation of the bulbar conjunctiva. The Gortex patch was removed after 25 days, and at 6 months' follow-up, there was no recurrence of symblepharon formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Industry-related severe ocular chemical injury is a rare occurrence. It can lead to symblepharon formation and destruction of the conjunctival fornix. In this case a Gortex spacer was successfully used to prevent symblepharon formation and reform the upper eyelid fornix after severe chemical injury.
authors.affiliation: Countess of Chester, Ophthalmology, Countess of Chester Hospital Health Park, Chester, United Kingdom. anupmakumar@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Anupma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Austin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bhargava
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D000468:Alkalies / Q000009:adverse effects; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000494:pharmacology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene