POLY(L-LACTIDE) IMPLANTS FOR REPAIR OF HUMAN ORBITAL FLOOR DEFECTS - CLINICAL AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM RESULTS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outco me of repair of orbital floor defects in patients with resorbable as-p olymerized poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) implants and to determine whether th ese patients showed symptoms that could be indicative of the presence of a late tissue response. Patients and Methods: Six patients (four wo men, two men; mean age, 39 years; range, 18 to 67 years) treated with PLLA implants for orbital floor fractures were recalled for follow-up examination after a period ranging from 31/2 to 61/2 years. The examin ation consisted of an interview and a physical examination, including an ophthalmologic and orthoptic consultation, For evaluation of the or bital tissues, coronal spin echo T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonanc e images (MRls) were made through both orbits. Results: None of the pa tients reported any problems in the years preceding the follow-up exam ination that might have indicated complications, Clinical examination of the operative sites revealed no abnormalities. At ophthalmologic an d orthoptic consultation, normal eye function, without diplopia or res triction of motility, was found in all patients. The MRls showed no in dication of an abnormal or increased soft tissue reaction in the orbit al region. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that PLLA orbital floor implants have the potential for succ essful use in repair of human orbital floor defects.