POSTOPERATIVE INFECTION OF PROPLAST FACIAL IMPLANTS

Proplast(TM) is an ultra-porous composite material that has been used widely to augment the facial skeleton. In recent years, however, the p opularity of this material has declined because of complications assoc iated with its use. This paper presents a retrospective study of 36 ca ses treated with 88 Proplast implants at one unit over a nine-year per iod. The results suggest that infection of the implant is the most com mon post-operative complication. Infection may occur at any time follo wing implantation and appears to be more likely when implantation is a ssociated with an osteotomy procedure. In addition, the overall rate o f infection in this study (16%) was higher than reported previously an d the male-female ratio was 2:1. The possible factors involved in infe ction are discussed.