Polytetrafluoroethylene in experimental retinal detachment surgery.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material was evaluated as an adjunctive material for retinal detachment surgery. A 4 mm sponge was wrapped in a 4 mm diameter tube of PTFE and sutured episclerally. Additionally, PTFE was rolled and sutured into an episcleral pocket as an implant material. Microscopic sectioning demonstrated a minimal inflammatory response and ingrowth of connective tissue into the PTFE. The intrascleral PTFE had also become successfully infiltrated with connective tissue, creating a thick, fibrovascular intrascleral implant. This material may prove useful in preventing extrusion of Silastic sponge exoplants, as a buckling element for intrascleral procedures, or as a covering for staphylomatous areas that require episcleral buckling.