Tissue response to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone implants in a rabbit model.

Background: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and silicone are safe and relatively biocompatible materials.

Objective: To compare, using multiple histologic parameters, the tissue response to a standard silicone soft tissue implant with the response to a modified ePTFE implant. The modified form of ePTFE is reinforced with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEPRePTFE), which provides increased pliability and material integrity.