USE OF TEMPORALIS FASCIA FOR EXPOSED HYDROXYAPATITE ORBITAL IMPLANTS

The hydroxyapatite implant (Bio-Eye, Intergrated Orbital Implant, Inc. , San Diego, CA, U.S.A.) has gained increasing popularity as an orbita l implant in recent years. Several complications may occur, including infection, exposure, extrusion, and various peg problems. Exposure of the implant appears to be the most common complication, ranging up to 21.6%. Many techniques, including nonsurgical and surgical approaches, have been described to manage these exposures. When surgery is indica ted, a patch graft may be required to cover the defect. We report our experience and technique with autogenous temporalis fascia as a patch graft. Autografts such as temporalis fascia are easily obtained, bring about no immunological reaction, and have no risk of infectious trans mission.