Polytef (polytetrafluoroethylene) alloplastic grafting as a substitute for mucous membrane

Nine patients with contracted sockets, cicatricial conjunctival shortening, or severe symblepharon formation were treated by temporary grafting with polytef (polytetrafluoroethylene) alloplastic surgical membrane in place of autogenous mucous membrane. Within 2 weeks of the grafting, the patients' residual conjunctival epithelium grew beneath the alloplastic membrane and covered the raw surfaces of the reconstructed socket. The procedure produced satisfactory results in eight of nine patients without the need for harvesting mucous membrane from the mouth or nose. Healing was rapid and without the discomfort and potential complications associated with grafting of autogenous mucosa.