Hydroxyapatite implant wrapping materials: Analysis of fibrovascular ingrowth in an animal model

Purpose: To compare the influence of seven currently available spherical or bital implant wraps on host fibrovascularization of a hydroxyapatite (HA) o rbital implant. Methods: Five groups of 3 (15 total) adult male New Zealand albino rabbits underwent enucleation with placement of a 12-mm HA implant wrapped in high- porosity expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE), processed bovine perica rdium, or processed human pericardium, sclera, or fascia lata. Magnetic res onance imaging before and after the intravenous administration of gadoliniu m-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA, 0.1 mol/kg) was performed imme diately before exenteration. Five rabbits tone with each of the different i mplant wraps) were killed at 4, 8, and 12, weeks, and the operated socket w as exenterated. Histopathologic sections of the implants were then compared with the results of our previous study using polyglactin 910 mesh and auto logous sclera as HA orbital implant wraps. Results: Complete fibrovascularization of all the implants occurred by 12 w eeks; however, HA implants wrapped with sclera, polyglactin mesh, and e-PTF E appeared to undergo more rapid fibrovascularization than spheres wrapped with other materials. Conclusions: Although all of the implant wraps studied may be suitable subs titutes for donor sclera, we prefer polyglactin mesh because it is readily available, inexpensive, and without risk of transmissible diseases.