[Foreign body granuloma after lower eyelid avulsion and surgical revision with silicone tube splint].

BACKGROUND

Foreign-body-reactions with granulomas after use of silicone-containing biomaterials are of clinical importance [4].

HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 4-year old patient entered our hospital with a reddish vascularised tumor. The tumor's origin was in the conjunctiva of the nasal lid-angle of the right eye.

THERAPY AND OUTCOME: After a traumatic disconnection of the canaliculus lacrimalis inferior, a bicanalicular silicon-tube intubation had been performed with the patient in the age of one year. Only 3 years after this intervention a secondary clinical examination could be performed. At this time, an extended solid conjunctival-tumor appeared at the operated eye. After removal and histological examination it could be classified as a foreign body granuloma.

CONCLUSIONS

The blood- and tissue compatibility of silicone is only insufficiently guaranteed on the basis of the hydrophobic material-surface. After reconstructive lacrimal surgery postoperative care and the removal of the stabilizing silicone material is necessary.