[Complications of silastic implants used in orbital repair]

Several questions concerning the material to be used for surgical repair of fractures of the orbit are still under debate. Surgeons may choose between autologous or heterologous grafts or different biomaterials. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 137 patients treated in our unit for fractures of the floor of the orbit over the last 20 years who received a silastic implant. After 20 years, the rate of complications requiring removal of the implant was 13.8%. Complications observed were dacryocystitis, implant migration to the skin and the maxillary sinus, skin fistula, persistent diplopia, communication between the orbit and the sinus, periorbit cellulitis.