[The clinical-and-morphological specificity of using xenopericardium in plasty of the eyelids and orbit]

The authors analyzed the clinical results of transplantation of the xenopericardium in 60 patients made at the Research institute of eye diseases of the Russian academy of medical sciences from 1999 to 2003. Xenomaterial was used in reconstruction of the lower eyelids after trauma (coloboma, defects of ligaments), in ectropions of the lower eyelids, in paralytic lagophthalmos and in traumas of the orbit. The postoperative follow-up of patients ranged from 2 to 54 months (an average of 28 months). Xenopericardia removed from patients (4 cases) were histologically examined in 6 months and more after surgery. The examination was made by the method of serial sagittal paraffin sections tinted with hematoxylin or eosin or according to I. van Gieson. A moderately pronounced tissue response and good remote clinical results confirmed the possibility of using it in reconstructive surgery, in particular, in plasty of the orbit especially when made through a small incision. The peculiarities of using clinically the xenopericardium denote that it can be used in ophthalmoplasty; however, it should be fixed immediately under the skin of the eyelids very carefully in order to avoid the formation of uneven surface.