[Porous synthetic materials in external ear reconstruction]

An investigation was done on the suitability of four porous synthetic materials--Dacron, porous polyethylene, Proplast II and Teflon--for use as a framework in external ear reconstruction. For this purpose, folded implants up to 1,8 mm thick were implanted under the abdominal skin of rats to create a standing skin fold. The fibrin glue proved useful. After 10 months the most convincing of the synthetic materials was porous polyethylene, which offered advantages over the other materials in handling, and retained a lasting form. This synthetic was also used in clinical reconstruction of the external ear.