[Results of natural hydroxyapatite implants covered with Vicryl® mesh in a series of 704 enucleations]

Retrospective study of local tolerability of a natural hydroxyapatite orbital implant wrapped with Vicryl(®) (polyglactin) mesh in patients undergoing enucleation.

Complications were classified into four types according to their management: type 1 if no reoperation was required, type 2 if additional surgery without grafting was required, type 3 if an oral mucosal graft was performed (major dehiscence) and type 4 if the complication required removal of the implant.

Seven hundred and four patients with a median follow-up of 44 months. Five hundred and three patients were enucleated as a primary procedure and 201 after failure of conservative management. The overall complication rate was 12.07% (85 patients) with 68 type 1 complications, nine type 2 complications, three type 3 complications and five type 4 complications (0.71%). A total of 17 patients (2.42%) required additional surgery. The use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy before or after surgery did not influence the results. In univariate analysis, the tolerability was better in children than in adults. With multivariate analysis, only the diameter of the implant was an independent risk factor for complications (P=0.001).

Use of a Vicryl(®) mesh-wrapped natural hydroxyapatite orbital implant after enucleation is particularly well tolerated including the pediatric population. A compromise should be sought with an implant large enough for good cosmetic results but small enough to avoid complications.