Composite Implants in Oculoplastic Surgery

Abstract

Composite devices containing two or more different material components or phases are seen with increasing frequency in oculoplastic, orbital, and lacrimal surgery. These combinations aim to improve mechanical and biological properties such as expansion, malleability, and strength in ways that have not been achieved with solitary material designs. Herein we review a variety of these new generation implants, including distensible orbital tissue expanders, hydrophilic osmotic expanders, titanium and polyethylene rigid fixation devices, non-expandable hydrogels, laminated porcine intestine, and polyethylene-coated glass that likely herald a trend to more complex implantable devices in the future.