WHEN a buried orbital implant becomes uncovered postoperatively, the end result, without prompt intervention, is nearly always extrusion of the implant. Early postoperative extrusion is usually caused by edema, infection, hemorrhage, or faulty technique. Late extrusion usually results from contracture of orbital tissues causing either a rupture or melting away of tissues in front of the implant.1 Extrusion may occur weeks, months, or even years after insertion of an implant. Repair, when this event occurs early or late, is complicated by the fact that immediate resuturing of the orbital tissue layers over the implant, even after careful dissection, can lead to re-extrusion, or if the implant is retained, to unsightly socket contraction.
In order to reduce tissue tension associated with the repair of an exposed or extruded orbital implant and thereby eliminate the complications caused by such tension, a new technique employing preserved human sclera has been devised.