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[2 cases of early "siliconitis" (silicone synovitis)]
F Moutet1, C Sartorius, C Lebrun
1Unité de Chirurgie Réparatrice de la Main et des Brûlés, CHRU de Grenoble.
Annales De Chirurgie De La Main : Organe Officiel Des Societes De Chirurgie De La Main
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Early silicone synovitis occurred in two patients following partial scaphoid implant arthroplasty. Microparticles from the silicone implants caused severe foreign body reactions, necessitating revision surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomaterials science
- Histopathology
Background:
- Partial scaphoid implant arthroplasty using Swanson design is a surgical option for wrist conditions.
- This procedure aims to restore function and alleviate pain after scaphoid bone damage.
Observation:
- Two cases of early-onset silicone synovitis are presented, occurring 12 and 18 months post-surgery.
- Patients experienced increasing pain and reduced range of motion, with radiographic evidence of erosive osteolytic defects in the radius.
Findings:
- Histologic examination revealed a foreign body reaction characterized by birefringent material within multinucleated giant cells.
- The complications are linked to compression forces and micro-fragmentation of the silicone implant material.
Implications:
- The findings raise questions about the continued use of partial scaphoid implant arthroplasty due to potential severe foreign body reactions from silicone microparticles.
- Further research into implant material degradation and patient-specific risk factors is warranted.
