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7027361 
Journal Article 
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TISSUE-RESPONSE TO MEDPOR POROUS POLYETHYLENE IMPLANTS IN THE HUMAN FACIAL SKELETON 
Wellisz, T; Kanel, G; Anooshian, RV; , 
1993 
Yes 
Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants
ISSN: 1050-6934 
BEGELL HOUSE INC 
DANBURY 
223-235 
WOS:A1993MA97200006 
The Medpor porous polyethylene implant is a highly stable and somewhat flexible porous alloplast that is used for facial reconstruction and augmentation. A total of 37 surgical biopsy specimens of 32 Medpor implants from 24 patients was examined. The specimens were submitted either as biopsies performed during staged or revision surgery (28 specimens), or as a result of implant exposure (9 specimens). All the exposures occurred in areas of thin soft tissue coverage. Three of the exposed implants were removed; the other six implant exposures were treated by revising the implant and gaining secondary coverage. All specimens, both in the normal biopsy group and the exposed implant group, demonstrated soft tissue ingrowth, vascularization with mature blood vessels, and lamellar collagen deposition. Exposed implants had additional findings of inflammatory changes at the site of exposure. Five of the implants became exposed within 4 weeks of implantation and these also showed tissue ingrowth, mature vessel formation, and collagen deposition. These findings demonstrate that soft tissue and vascular ingrowth occur in the pores of the Medpor implant in humans. Ingrowth occurred in all cases, including implants that became exposed both early and late after implantation.