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Experimental evaluation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for reconstruction of orbital floor defects
L J Hanson1, M G Donovan, J W Hellstein
1Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, 464th Medical Detachment, Landstuhl, Germany.
Objective:
This study evaluates the efficacy of a medical grade expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) sheet for reconstruction of the orbital floor.
Materials And Methods:
Orbital floor defects were created in 10 domestic sheep and reconstructed with the 1-mm thick e-PTFE sheet. The surgical sites were evaluated for the development of enophthalmos and biocompatibility at 2 weeks, and at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-months intervals.
Results:
The results of this indicate that the e-PTFE material has excellent handling characteristics, provides stability to correct surgically created enophthalmos, and causes essentially no foreign body reaction.
Conclusion:
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene proved to be an excellent alloplastic material for the repair of orbital floor defects in this experimental study.
