Bovine pericardium versus homologous sclera as wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite ocular implants: An animal study

Purpose: We compared bovine pericardium and homologous sclera as wrapping m aterials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants in enucleated New Zealand white rabbits. Methods: Eighteen rabbits were unilaterally enucleated and the sockets impl anted with IO-mm HA spherical implants. Six implants were wrapped with homo logous sclera, 6 with bovine pericardium, and 6 were not wrapped. The rabbi ts were killed 7 weeks later and the sockets were examined clinically for i nflammation and implant exposure. Exenterated specimens were assessed histo pathologically for inflammation and vascularization. Results: No clinical evidence of implant exposure or extrusion was detected in rabbits receiving sclera or bovine pericardium wrapped implants. Histop athologically, the bovine pericardium displayed more inflammation in its ou ter portion, as well as more disruption of its lamellar arrangement than di d the sclera. Fibrovascular ingrowth was complete in all wrapped implants. Conclusion: Bovine pericardium behaves similar clinically to homologous scl era as a wrapping material for spherical HA ocular implants in a rabbit mod el, and may represent a reasonable alternative to sclera in such procedures in humans.