The use of synthetic implant material in osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy

Abstract

The use of homologous fat in obliterating frontal sinus operations has proved to be a satisfactory technique. It does entail, however, a separate procedure to obtain the graft. Furthermore, the implanted fat has a tendency to shrink or absorb in varying degrees. Proplastr̀ has been used in a series of osteoplastic frontal sinus operations. The implant block is a highly porous preparation of Teflonr̀ fluorocarbon polymer and vitrous carbon fibers. It can be easily carved into desired shapes or it may be implanted in pieces. The porosity of the substance permits in-growth of connective tissue. Eight obliterating frontal sinus procedures using the osteoplastic flap technique and implanting the synthetic material are reported. There have been no failures to date after 1 to 5 years follow-up.