Chen Tao, Min Yan, Qin Yi
Ophthalmology Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital Appertaining to Capital Medicine University, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2003 Mar;19(2):120-2.
Use xenologous sclera (pig sclera) as wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants in enucleated New Zealand white rabbits.
Ten rabbits were unilaterally enucleated and the sockets implanted with 10 mm HA spherical implants. All implants were wrapped with pig sclera. The rabbits were killed 4 weeks later and the sockets were examined clinically for inflammation and implant exposure. Exenterated specimens were assessed histopathologically for inflammation and vascularization.
No clinical evidence of implant exposure or extrusion was detected in rabbits receiving pig sclera wrapped implants. Histopathologically the xenologous (pig) sclera displayed moderate inflammation, as well as maintain its lamellar arrangement without disruption. Fibrovascular ingrowth was complete in all implants.
Xenologous (pig) sclera behaves similar clinically to homologous sclera as a wrapping material for spherical HA ocular implants in a rabbit model, and may represent a reasonable alternative to sclera in such procedures in humans.
