To compare the surgical results and complications of medial wall fracture reconstruction using non-absorbable porous polyethylene implants (Medpor®, Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) and an absorbable polymer of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA) (Mesh plate®, Inion Ltd, Tampere, Finland).

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent reconstruction of medial wall fracture between January 2007 and June 2012 and divided them into 2 groups according to orbital implant type (Medpor®, Mesh plate®).

Among the 86 patients, 37 were treated with Medpor® and 49 with Mesh plate®. There was no statistically significant difference in limitation of motion or diplopia score between the 2 groups at postoperative 6 months (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.192, p = 0.128, respectively). Mean postoperative exophthalmometry differences between the eyes were 0.49 ± 1.04 mm and 0.37 ± 0.62 mm in Medpor® and Mesh plate® groups, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (independent t -test, p = 0.512). Postoperative complications such as inflammation or implant malposition were observed only in 3 patients in the Medpor® group.

No difference was observed between Medpor® and Mesh plate® in terms of surgical results during the postoperative 6 month period after reconstruction of orbital medial wall fracture. However, postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients in the Medpor® group.