The Inflammatory Reaction to Silicone Implants: Polyurethane Foam Versus Nanotextured Surface-An Experimental Study in Rats.

Abstract

Background: The interaction between the surface of the implant and the human body results in a local and systemic inflammatory reaction that leads to the formation of a peri-implant capsule and entails complications. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the local and systemic inflammatory reactions of silicone implants coated with polyurethane foam and those with a nanotextured surface.

Methods: Using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the serum and per-implant capsule of rats submitted to surgical placement of the 2 different types of implants. The statistical analysis was conducted within each group, comparing the parameters according to the times at which the rats were euthanized at 3 distinct durations of exposure (30, 60, and 90 d).

Results: The results show that at both 30 and 60 days, there was no significant increase in the levels of markers in either group; however, a change becomes evident at 90 days. The nanotextured surface showed a decreased production of inflammatory markers at 30 and 60 days as compared with the polyurethane group. Nevertheless, at 90 days, there is a marked increase in these markers observed in the nanotextured group and a decrease in the polyurethane group, yet without any statistical significance between either group at that time.

Conclusions: After a lapse of an extended period of time (90 d), nanotextured surface implants cause a local and systemic inflammatory reaction similar to those with a polyurethane foam surface.