OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects and complications of hydroxyapatite (HA) orbital implantation on patients after trauma-related surgeries.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was made from 211 cases (211 eyes) who underwent HA orbital implant placement after trauma-related enucleation or evisceration, including 68 cases of evisceration and primary HA implant placement, 77 cases of enucleation and HA implant placement wrapped with multi-windowed sclera, 66 cases of enucleation and HA implant placement free of wrapping. All the cases were followed up for 1-5 years to observe the therapeutic effects and major complications.

RESULTSFive of 211 cases had wound dehiscence. Ten cases had HA implants exposure, including 1 case suffering severe orbital infection and requiring HA implant removal. The implants exposure incidences by the three surgical methods were from 1.30% to 10.06% and averaged 4.74%. Significant difference was found in late exposure incidence and total incidence from the three methods (chi(2)=13.372, P < 0.01 and chi(2)=7.540, P < 0.05). Two cases had shrinkage of the lower fornix. Enophthalmos occurred in 1 case treated by method 1 and was corrected by implanting porous polyethylene (Medpor) plate into the bottom of orbit. In 210 cases, the artificial eye moved well and the cosmetic results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent surgical methods have their own merit and disadvantage. Enucleation and placement of HA implant wrapped with multi-windowed sclera has corroborated fewer complications than others.