To investigate the effects of commodified growth factor products used clinically on fibrovascular ingrowth into porous polyethylene orbital implants.

Porous polyethylene orbital implant sheets (Medpor®) soaked with Nepidermin (Easyef®), Trafermin (Fiblast®), and normal saline were implanted into the backs of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats. The degree of fibrovascular ingrowth as observed using a light microscope was compared 1 and 2 weeks after implantation and was calculated as a percentage of the fibrovascular ingrowth length.

One week after implantation, the percentage of fibrovascular ingrowth length was 25.33 ± 5.43%, 22.56 ± 5.30%, and 21.78 ± 4.66% in the Easyef®-, Fiblast®- and normal saline-soaked groups. The degree of fibrovascularization was higher in the Easyef®-soaked group than in the other groups ( p = 0.020, 0.012). Two weeks after implantation, the degree of fibrovascularization was 98.33 ± 5.00%, 100.00 ± 0.00%, and 95.89 ± 4.57%, which was significantly higher in the Easyef®-, and Fiblast®-soaked groups than in normal saline-soaked group ( p = 0.019, <0.001).

Commodified growth factor products used in other areas selectively enhanced fibrovascular ingrowth to a greater degree and earlier in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.