Plastipore implants in the surgical treatment of atrophic rhinitis: Technique and results

BACKGROUND: Atrophic rhinitis is a distressing and socially crippling disea se. Surgical treatment has been used for patients with severe disease that is unresponsive to medical therapy. METHODS: Eight patients with primary atrophic rhinitis were treated surgica lly by narrowing of the nasal fossae with implantation of 2 Plastipore plat es per affected side into submucosal pockets into the floor of the nose and septum, thus reducing the volume of the nasal fossae. RESULTS: Excellent results were obtained in 6 patients, with complete resol ution of symptoms and good results and only minor crusting in 2 patients. O ne implant was extruded spontaneously 18 months after implantation and was reimplanted. Results in this patient before and after reimplantation were e xcellent. There were no cases of infection and no other complications. CONCLUSION: We implanted Plastipore, a high-density polyethylene sponge wit h micropores, which enables tissue ingrowth, anchoring the implants to the surrounding tissue. The surgical technique is performed with the patient un der local anesthesia and is relatively easy and avoids complicated flap pro cedures, allogeneic bone harvesting, and the discomfort of nostril closure for prolonged periods.