Comparison of the effects of enucleation and orbital reconstruction using free-fat grafts, dermis grafts, and porous polyethylene implants in infant rabbits

Twenty-nine infant rabbits from four litters were randomly assigned to thre e groups. No surgery was performed on left eyes. All right eyes were enucle ated. Group 1, the control group, had no right-socket reconstruction. Group 2 had reconstruction using free-fat and dermis grafts. Group 3 had reconst ruction using porous polyethylene implants. On attaining adult size, rabbit s were killed, decapitated, and prepared for measurements. Orbital volume m easurements were performed twice and orbital entrance areas were determined once. No significant differences were noted between first and second measu rements of orbital volumes. Right orbital volumes were significantly smalle r than left orbits in all groups except for the second measurement of the p olyethylene implant group. Right orbital entrance areas were significantly smaller than left areas in the control and the free-fat and dermis graft gr oups. Right orbital entrance areas of the polyethylene group were not signi ficantly smaller than the corresponding left orbital entrance areas. The us e of free-fat and dermis grafts for orbital reconstruction in anophthalmic infant rabbits did not significantly stimulate orbital bone growth. In one trial, the polyethylene implant group displayed right orbital volumes and o rbital entrance areas that were not significantly smaller than controls.