Abstract

BACKGROUND--A variety of autogenous and alloplastic materials have been used as subperiosteal implants to correct anophthalmic enophthalmos. Proplast II is a synthetic porous composite of Teflon polymer and alumina. Proplast II offers a number of advantages over other commonly used alloplastic materials such as silicone and polymethyl methacrylate. It is light, porous, resilient, malleable, and easy to shape. It can be readily sterilised after shaping. It has been found to integrate with the surrounding tissues, thereby minimising the risk of subsequent implant migration and extrusion. METHODS--Proplast II was used as a subperiosteal implant in a total of 15 anophthalmic patients during the period June 1990 to March 1994. The indication for this procedure in all patients was poor orbital volume replacement despite the prior insertion of an adequately sized spherical socket implant. RESULTS--The results were excellent with a good correction of preoperative upper eyelid sulcus deformity. There were no operative complications nor any serious postoperative complications. The implants were well tolerated. CONCLUSION--Proplast II can be highly recommended for use as a subperiosteal implant.