Porous orbital implants and their behaviour during drilling

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Porous spherical orbital implants enhance ocular prosthesis motility.
• Subsequent drilling and pegging can improve implant-prosthesis coupling.
• The effect of drilling parameters on different implant materials is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of drilling at various speeds on hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene (Medpor) spherical implants.
• To evaluate the structural integrity and suitability of drilled implants for stable epithelialisation.

Main Methods:

• Hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene implants were drilled at speeds ranging from 15 to 2000 revolutions per minute.
• Samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.
• Drill hole characteristics and material structural changes were documented.

Main Results:

• Drilling hydroxyapatite implants maintained the porous structure, though precise holes with defined walls were not achieved.
• Drilling porous polyethylene implants resulted in loss of porous structure, despite creating a precise drill hole.
• Stable epithelialisation of drill holes has been successfully achieved in patients with hydroxyapatite implants.

Conclusions:

• Hydroxyapatite implants are suitable for drilling and subsequent epithelialisation, facilitating stable integration.
• Porous polyethylene (Medpor) implants are unsuitable for this drilling technique due to structural degradation and risk of implant exposure.
• The findings support the use of hydroxyapatite implants for improved ocular prosthesis motility and patient outcomes.