INTRADERMAL AUGMENTATION WITH EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (GORE-TEX) FOR FACIAL LINES AND WRINKLES

BACKGROUND. Many materials-from bovine and porcine collagen to autologous fat-have been used to augment tissue for wrinkle correction or to correct cosmetic defects. However, none of them has proved completely satisfactory because of host immune response or lack of staying power. OBJECTIVE. To describe the use of expanded tetrafluoroethylene (Gore Tex E-PTFE Soft Tissue Patch) in the correction of deep nasolabial folds, facial wrinkles, and lip contour irregularities. METHODS. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of Gore-Tex E-PTFE (inert material with highly porous structure) allow the penetration of cells and vessels with minimal inflammatory reaction. Small pieces of Gore-Tex patches or threads were inserted underneath the wrinkle to fill it out. To avoid the appearance of the thread's end through the needle puncture in the skin, the accordion technique of insertion was used. RESULTS. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has been used as a subdermal implant for the correction of deep nasolabial folds, facial wrinkles, and lip contour irregularities in 53 cases with satisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS. It is concluded that Gore-Tex E-PTFE is a new thread augmentation advance in the solution of facial skin irregularities that yields satisfactory and permanent results.