[Biocompatibility of a porous alumina orbital implant. Preliminary results of an animal experiment].

Purpose: Evaluation of clinical tolerance and scanning electron microscopy study of the bio-colonisation of a porous ceramical alumina implant after evisceration of the rabbit. Preliminary results.
Methods: Sixteen white New Zealand rabbits were eviscerated. A porous hydroxyde alumina ball was implanted in the opened sclera and explanted 15, 30, and 90 days after implantation. Clinical tolerance was assessed and implant tissular ingrowth was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.
Results: One infection was observed and there was no conjunctival breakdown. Fibrovascular ingrowth occurred as soon as 15 days after implantation, and was full at one month.
Conclusion: Porous alumina implant orbital tissue tolerance and fast fibrovascular ingrowth in the rabbit socket suggest promising result in the human anophthalmic socket.