[Morphological evaluation of orbital implants in postenucleation reconstruction (an experimental study)]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Reconstruction

Context:

• Approximately 12,000 eyeball removal surgeries occur annually in the Russian Federation.
• Successful cosmetic prosthesis relies on proper orbital implant selection and supporting stump formation.
• Evaluating orbital implant materials and designs is crucial for optimizing post-enucleation outcomes.

Purpose:

• To compare the biocompatibility of different orbital implant materials.
• To assess the design of various orbital implants and their impact on post-enucleation stumps.
• To evaluate implant performance and tissue response in an in vivo rabbit model.

Summary:

• A study compared polymeric, polytetrafluoroethylene, and silicone orbital implants in rabbits undergoing enucleation.
• The polymeric implant demonstrated superior ease of implantation, stable fixation, and less adverse tissue reaction.
• While all implants showed comparable early motility, the polymeric and silicone implants maintained better stump function long-term compared to polytetrafluoroethylene.

Impact:

• The findings suggest polymeric implants are the most suitable for post-enucleation orbital reconstruction.
• This research can inform the selection of optimal implants to improve cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• The study provides valuable in vivo data on orbital implant performance and tissue integration.