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

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.

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).

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.

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.