[Porous polyethylene channel implants in reconstruction of orbital blowout fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of porous polyethylene channel implants in reconstruction of orbital blowout fractures.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients with orbital blowout fractures were admitted in our eye center from June 2003 to January 2006. Porous polyethylene channel implants were used to repair the defects of orbital wall and to correct the enophthalmos. The visual acuity, the degree of enophthalmos, diplopia and position were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULT: No patients presented loss or apparent descent of visual acuity after surgery. Postoperative mean enophthalmos (1.7+/-0.5)mm was smaller significantly than that of preoperation [(3.9 +/-1.2)mm (P<0.05)]. Diplopia disappeared in 10 patients 1 month after surgery. Diplopia disappeared in 11 patients in primary position, but it remained in other positions. Diplopia remained in primary position in 2 patients. Ocular movement in 22 patients was normal postoperatively. While primary position upward occurred in 1 patient postoperatively and 2 weeks later it became normal.

CONCLUSION: Porous polyethylene channel implants are effective in reconstruction of orbital blowout fractures.