USE OF VICRYL (POLYGLACTIN-910) MESH IMPLANT FOR REPAIR OF ORBITAL FLOOR FRACTURE CAUSING DIPLOPIA - A STUDY OF 28 PATIENTS OVER 5 YEARS

Over the past 5 years, Vicryl mesh (polyglactin-910) implants were use d successfully to reconstruct the orbital floor in 28 patients with si gnificant preoperative diplopia due to orbital floor fractures. The la yered mesh is available in 26.5 x 24 cm sheets, each of which is folde d onto itself into 24 layers and packaged; 24 layers are approximately 4 mm thick. Appropriately sized implants varying in thickness from 6 to 56 layers were used to cover and fill the orbital floor defect. Abs orbable Vicryl mesh is well-tolerated by orbital tissues; since it is soft and pliable, it is unlikely to compress orbital structures such a s the optic nerve, lacrimal sac, or extraocular muscles. A second surg ical site necessary for autogenous implants is avoided, The Vicryl mes h implant is technically easy to insert and does not require fixation in the orbit. Because Vicryl mesh is absorbable, the risks associated with permanent alloplastic implants are reduced. Similarly, there is n o potential spread of communicable disease with homologous tissue impl ants. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 2 years (median, 13 months). No ne of the patients had late complications. The only complication was t ransient, low-grade eyelid inflammation in four patients.