Ultrasonographic monitoring of new expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implant thickness after augmentation rhinoplasty

Background: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) is currently one of the most popular implant materials for rhinoplasty. Surgiform (Surgiform Technology, Ltd., Lugoff, SC) is a recently introduced ePTFE material with physical characteristics that are slightly different from Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Changes in Surgiform thickness after rhinoplasty are not well documented. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 16 patients (12 male and 4 female patients) who underwent primary augmentation rhinoplasty with Surgiform. High-resolution ultrasonography was used to measure implant thickness after a mean follow-up period of 14.7 months (range, 8-21 months). Results: Surgiform implants were easily and clearly demarcated from surrounding tissue. The mean thickness of inserted implants was 2.37 ± 0.80 mm at the rhinion and 3.12 ± 1.26 mm at the supratip. The follow-up thickness was 2.35 ± 0.77 mm at the rhinion and 3.09 ± 1.23 mm at the supratip. Implant thickness did not decrease significantly at the rhinion (p = 0.112) or the supratip (p = 0.165). Conclusion: Ultrasonographic monitoring indicated that Surgiform e-PTFE does not shrink significantly over time.