Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Episcleral Implants Used as Encircling Scleral Buckling

Vol. 32, No. 2-3, 2000

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Original Paper

Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Episcleral Implants Used as Encircling Scleral Buckling
An Experimental and Histopathological Study
J.F. Korobelnik^b, F. D'Hermies^a, D. Chauvaud^a, J.M. Legeais^a, T. Hoang-Xuan^b, G. Renard^a

^aDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hôtel-Dieu, and
^bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe-de-Rothschild, Paris, France

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmic Res 2000;32:110-117 (DOI: 10.1159/000055599)

Key Words

Polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded
Retinal detachment surgery
Scleral buckling
Biocompatible materials

Abstract

To investigate tissue changes induced by the implantation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) used as encircling scleral buckling, an experimental and histopathological study was performed in rabbits. The eyes of 12 rabbits were implanted during 20-128 days with e-PTFE episcleral implants. Of these, 8 eyes were uncomplicated and enabled us to perform the histopathological study, 2 others were discarded for too short a time of implantation and, in 2 additional eyes, the episcleral implant was exposed with a wide conjunctival erosion. Surrounding the implant, a constant encapsulation was combined with numerous giant cells, forming a granuloma caused by irregularities of the implant outline. Its porous structure allowed a peripheral colonization by fibrovascular tissue. Scleral thinning and scleral invagination were the main scleral changes. No change of the conjunctiva made us suspect that a granuloma occurred before it was found histologically. The granulomatous changes did not seem to modify the apparently good experimental tolerance of the material after its implantation.

Author Contacts

F. D'Hermies, MD
Ophthalmic Laboratory
Hôtel-Dieu
1, place du Parvis-Notre-Dame
F-75004 Paris (France)

Article Information

This work was performed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Hôtel-Dieu, 1, place du Parvis-Notre-Dame, F-75004 Paris (France).

Received: Received: February 2, 1999
Accepted after revision: June 10, 1999
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 33

Medline Abstract (ID 10754444)

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