Orbital haematoma after orbital fracture repair using silicone, polytetrafluorethylene, and poly-L-lactic...

The purpose of this paper was to report the incidence of orbital haematoma formation following the repair of orbital fractures with silicone, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), and poly-L-lactic acid/hydroxyapatite (PLLA/HA) implants. This retrospective review examined 234 patients (235 sides) who underwent repair of orbital wall fractures over a six-year period. Of these, 36 patients received a silicone sheet; 49 patients received a silicone sheet with superimposed PTFE implant; and 149 patients (150 sides) received PTFE with or without an underlying PLLA/HA implant. Orbital haematomas were documented in 13 out of 36 patients (36.1%) who underwent fracture repair with a silicone sheet; seven out of 49 patients (14.3%) who had a silicone sheet with a superimposed PTFE implant; and three out of 150 sides (2.0%) with PTFE with or without underlying PLLA/HA. The difference in incidence of orbital haematoma formation was significant among the groups (p < 0.001, Pearson's chi squared test). In the silicone sheet group, haematomas formed within two weeks of surgery in 11 patients (84.6%). In the silicone sheet with superimposed PTFE implant group, five patients (71.4%) developed orbital haematomas no earlier than after two weeks postoperatively. This study showed that the incidence of orbital haematoma formation following orbital fracture repair is different among the implant materials. The use of PTFE and PLLA/HA implants may minimise this complication.