The Effect of Amniotic Membrane on the Fibrosis between Orbital Connective Tissue and Porous Polyethylene Sheet Iimplant

Cheon, Hye Won; Kim, Jong Wook; Bae, Jae Hyong

Abstract

PURPOSE
Soft tissue or muscle adhesion to the Porous Polyethylene Sheet Implant (PPSI) can cause postoperative extraocular motility disturbance after orbital fracture repairs using PPSI. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in the suppression of fibrosis between orbital connective tissue and PPSI. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were grouped as A, B, and C and conventional PPSI were implanted between orbital connective tissue and orbital floor in group A; PPSI with a barrier surface (PPSI-B) in group B; PPSI with amniotic membrane transplantation in group C. The implants were harvested at 8 weeks postoperatively, and stained with Masson trichrome and hemaoxylin and eosin staining techniques. RESULTS: In group A, the PPSI demonstrated dense adhesion on both the soft tissue implant and the bone implant interfaces. A lot of fibroblasts were observed on the surface of PPSI. In group B, the PPSI-B demonstrated less fibrosis over the barrier surface, and less fibroblasts than in group A. In group C, the PPSI with amniotic membrane transplantation manifested least fibrous adhesion among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In orbital fracture repair, amniotic membrane transplantation could reduce the fibrosis between orbital connective tissue and PPSI, and might prevent the postoperative extraocualr motility disturbance.