The use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) in rhinoplasty. A 6-year experience

Abstract

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex soft-tissue patch, W. L. Gore & Assoc Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) as an implant in rhinoplasty.

Design: A retrospective study of 137 patients who underwent rhinoplasty including augmentation with Gore-Tex over a 6-year period. A review of the medical literature concerning the use of Gore-Tex as an implant in the head and neck was also conducted.

Setting: Two major academic medical centers and two private office surgical centers.

Participants: One hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients who received Gore-Tex implants in the course of rhinoplasty.

Intervention: Sixty-nine patients presented for primary rhinoplasty; the remaining 68 presented for revision surgery. All received Gore-Tex nasal implants to augment the nasal dorsum and/or base. The grafts ranged from 1 to 6 mm in thickness. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 80 months, with an average of 25 months.

Outcome measures: Clinically noted complications and patient satisfaction.

Results: Three (2.2%) of 137 grafts became infected and were removed. One graft was removed 5 months post-operatively because of excessive augmentation. None of the patients who underwent implant removal required subsequent augmentation. All 137 patients are pleased with their results.

Conclusion: Gore-Tex is a safe and effective implant material to use in primary and revision rhinoplasty when augmentation is needed and autogenous material is not available or desirable.