Long-term stability of circumferential silicone sponge scleral buckling exoplants

The historical extrusion/explantation rate of silicone sponge scleral buckle exoplants is 3.5 to 24.4%. This contrasts with the published 0.6 to 1.2% explantation rate of solid silicone elements. Previously reported silicone sponge exoplants studies were noncircumferential (quadrantic or multiple). This study was undertaken to assess the long-term stability of 360 degrees circumferentially placed 3 x 5 mm silicone sponge exoplants.

Interventional case series of 840 consecutive circumferentially placed 3 x 5 mm silicone sponge exoplants. A retrospective review of operative reports and patient charts was performed.

A total of 552 patients had documented follow-up over 1 year. Median follow-up was 32.8 months. Six patients underwent removal of the scleral buckling element (two for diplopia, one acute postoperative infection, and three for extrusion). Median time to removal was 7.3 months. Extenuating circumstances contributed to two of the three extrusions. Of the entire series, fewer than 1% of patients required removal of the silicone sponge implant. Excluding patients with less than 1 year of documented follow-up, the long-term infection/extrusion rate was 0.7%.

Circumferentially placed silicone scleral buckling sponge elements are very stable and are well tolerated. The explantation/extrusion rate is comparable to published solid silicone element series.