HEMORRHAGIC CYST OF THE ORBIT AS A LONG-TERM COMPLICATION OF PROSTHETIC ORBITAL FLOOR IMPLANT

Blowout fractures and complex malar injuries often require reconstruction of the orbital floor. Prosthetic material, including Teflon, silicone, Gelfilm, Supramid, and Marlex, have been used for this purpose with reports of good long-term results.1-5 The procedure is accepted as technically expedient with minimal longterm morbidity. There have been a number of reports, however, concerning acute and longterm complications, some as many as 15 years after placement of prosthetic material.6-9 These complications include infection,6 extrusion,7 eyelid deformity,8 and lacrimal obstruction.9 We present three patients with hemorrhagic cysts arising around orbital floor implants between 10 and 16 years after placement. All three patients had a similar presentation requiring operative intervention. © 1994 American Society of Plastic Surgeons.