Sheets, 3-D strands, trimensional (3-D) shapes, and sutures of either reinforced or nonreinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for facial soft-tissue suspension, augmentation, and reconstruction

Abstract

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) is an expanded, fibrillated polymer recently used in facial reconstruction. This material is produced in two compositions: pure e-PTFE, for sheets, 3-D strands, and sutures; and e-PTFE reinforced with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) for sheets and trimensional (3-D) shapes. This material has been used for facial soft-tissue suspension, augmentation, and reconstruction and has demonstrated advantages over autologous grafts due to its optimal tissue incorporation, low infection risk, and biological inertness.