Polytetrafluoroethylene as a graft material in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. An experimental and clinical study.

A clinical and experimental study was performed to demonstrate the usefulness of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a graft material in ophthalmic plastic surgery. PTFE is non-antigenic, autoclavable, inert, and incorporated into surrounding tissue through fibrous ingrowth. PTFE implanted into rabbit eyelids for periods ranging from 2 to 21 weeks was examined grossly and microscopically. PTFE left uncovered by a conjunctival flap extruded; PTFE covered by a conjunctival flap was well tolerated without inflammation or extrusion and demonstrated dense fibrous capsular development with fibrous ingrowth along suture tracts and extensive vascular ingrowth. Fibrous tissue showed minimal growth into intrafiber pore spaces. PTFE was implanted into seven anophthalmic patients (one patch graft and six PTFE-wrapped secondary implants), with a postoperative follow-up of from 6 to 13 months. The material was well tolerated without extrusion, granuloma formation, or irritation. PTFE offers advantages over other graft materials and appears to be a useful addition to ophthalmic plastic surgery.