Multicenter Evaluation on the Safety of Gore-Tex as an Implant in Rhinoplasty

Background and Objectives:This study was done to evaluate the safety of Gore-Tex as a nasal implant. Materials and Method:A retrospective multicenter study was carried out on 15 surgeons from 11 general hospitals and 4 private practice clinics regarding the safety of the Gore-Tex as a nasal implant. The study involved 853 patients, of whom 656 received primary surgery and 197 revision surgery. Gore-Tex was mainly used as a dorsal implant in a form of sheet or as a reinforced nasal implant. Results:The overall complication rate associated with Gore-Tex was 2.5% (21 cases. Infection was the most com- mon complication (18 cases;2.1% followed by 2 cases of seroma and 1 case of persistent nasal swelling. In 19 out of 21 complication cases, the graft needed removal to control the infection or seroma (91% removal rate). Nine cases of infection developed in both primary cases (1.37%) and in revision cases (4.57%), which suggests a higher association rate between in- fection and revision cases (p=0.0062). Infection developed within 1 month in 5 cases while 9 cases developed infection after 6 months of operation. Other complications such as aesthetic problems (malpositioning of the implant or dorsal irregularities) were found in 15 cases (1.8%) and hematoma in 1 case. Conclusion:The infection rate of Gore-Tex used in rhinoplasty was about 2% and it rose significantly in the revision cases. If infected, almost all of the implanted Gore-Tex needs removal; therefore, we suggest judicious use of Gore-Tex in rhinoplasty. (Korean J Otolaryngol 2004;47:1251-5)