The Porous Polyethylene/Bioglass Spherical Orbital Implant: A Retrospective Study of 170 Cases

Purpose: To report patient outcomes after placement of porous polyethylene (PPE)/bioglass (BG) orbital implants for primary enucleation or secondary implantation. Design: Retrospective chart review in one surgeon's practice (J.D.N.). Methods: A chart review of all patients who underwent placement of PPE/BG orbital implants was performed. Data included patient's age, gender, surgical indication, prior ocular surgery, medical history, procedure performed, implant size, and postoperative complications. Results: PPE/BG implants were placed in 170 sockets. Seventy-seven patients were women, and 85 were men. One hundred forty patients underwent primary enucleation and placement of an implant, and 22 patients underwent secondary implantation. One hundred sixty-one patients did well after orbital implantation with a comfortable socket, quiet conjunctiva, and motility. Complications occurred in 9 patients (5.3%). Excessive discharge alone occurred in 2 patients (1.2%). Seven sockets undergoing primary enucleation and implant placement had implant exposure. One patient had an early exposure, and 6 had late exposures. All exposures were successfully treated with antibiotics or additional surgery. Secondary surgeries were required by some patients, but not due to implant complications, included ectropion repair in 5 patients (2.9%) and volume augmentation in 3 patients (1.7%). Conclusions: The PPE/BG orbital implant may be a useful implant for orbital reconstruction after primary enucleation or as a secondary implant. (Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2011;27:21-27)