Augmentation of the nasal dorsum using Gore-Tex: intermediate results of a retrospective analysis of experience in 66 patients.

Abstract

Out of the numerous implant materials that have been used for augmentation of the nasal dorsum, autogenous cartilage is considered to be the optimal grafting material due to its versatility and long-term survival. However, in the case of extensive augmentation often an alternative grafting material is needed. Homologous cartilage seems an attractive option, but is not commonly used because of the fear of disease transmission, the long-term unpredictability and the possibility of warping. Alloplastic grafts have offered varying degrees of success in rhinoplasty, but have resulted in significant complications as well. Lately, expanded polytetrafluorethylene (Gore-Tex(R)) has proven to be a promising synthetic material in nasal dorsal augmentation. However, convincing long-term success compared to autogenous cartilage grafts is still lacking and numbers are insufficient. This paper consists of a prelimary report about the use of Gore-Tex(R) soft-tissue patches in nasal dorsal augmentation in 66 patients over a 6-year period, which forms the largest European series so far. No complications were observed in either primary (29%) or revision rhinoplasties (71%).