EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF ORBITAL FLOOR DEFECTS

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 biocompatbility at 2 weeks, and at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month intervals. Results: The results of this study 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.