HISTOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF A RETRIEVED EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT

An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis used to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament in a 37-year-old Caucasian male was retrieved and histologically examined in this study. Backscattered electron (BSE) microscopy, utilized to observe the mineralized tissue ingrowth into the retrieved specimen, revealed an absence of bony ingrowth within the graft. Light microscopy demonstrated an exuberant foreign body giant cell response surrounding and invading the substance of the graft, and also revealed evidence of graft degradation. These observations indicate that PTFE may not be as favorable a material for reconstruction of ligamentous tissues as previously reported.