Evaluation of an Integrated Orbital Tiue Expander in an Anophthalmic Feline Model Original Reearch Article

Purpoe To evaluate the anatomical effect and tiue biocompatibility in a feline model of an integrated orbital tiue expander (OTE) deigned to timulate bone growth in an anophthalmic ocket. Deign An animal tudy wa performed in cat to ae orbital bone growth with and without an OTE. Method The OTE i an inflatable (0.5 to >6.0 cm3) polymeric globe liding on a titanium T plate ecured to the lateral orbital rim with crew. Eight cat had left eye enucleation at age two week, with five orbit receiving an OTE and the remaining three erving a nonimplanted control. erial tranconjunctival implant inflation wa performed by injecting normal aline olution into the OTE to a final volume of 3.5 ml. erial computed tomographic can were obtained to ae ocket growth. All eight cat were euthanized at 18 week and dry kull prepared. The effective orbital volume wa meaured by inflating an OTE in the orbit of a dry kull until it filled the cavity completely. Reult Three cat periodically cratched open the tarorrhaphy and conjunctiva to rupture the OTE, which reulted in implant exchange. At 18 week, the OTE expanded orbital volume wa approximately 18% maller than the normal contralateral ide. In the control animal, the anophthalmic orbital volume wa approximately 66% maller than the contralateral orbit. Hitopathology of orbital tiue howed no evidence of foreign body reaction. Concluion Thi proof-of-concept pilot tudy demontrated implant efficacy in cat, and no implant-related advere effect were oberved. OTE ha the potential to timulate bone growth in human anophthalmic orbit.