Repair of exposed porous polyethylene implants utilizing flaps from the implant capsule.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of the use of flaps from the capsule surrounding porous polyethylene implants in repairing large or recurrent implant exposures.

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

Participants: Sixteen patients with exposed porous polyethylene implants.

Methods: Vertical and horizontal flaps were created from the implant capsule. These flaps were used to create a double layer of closure to seal the exposure. All patients had a minimum follow-up of at least 12 months.

Main Outcome Measures: Repair of the exposure without recurrence during the follow-up interval, and assessment of complications.

Results: At the last follow-up visit, the socket was completely healed in all but 2 patients. In 1 of them, the implant was subsequently exchanged. Other complications included motility loss, conjunctival cyst, and granuloma formation.

Conclusions: The use of the implant capsule to salvage exposed porous polyethylene implants is an effective technique; it is associated with some complications that can be minimized by careful case selection.