Phagocytic reaction in contact with macroplastic: application in pediatric surgery.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: With regard to the problems of using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the treatment of vesicoureteric reflux in children, the authors have tested polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is conveyed by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a hydrogel.

METHODS

The phagocytic reaction was tested with both PDMS and PVP. The phagocytic reaction of PDMS and PVP was tested in vitro, then the outcome of PVP was tested in vivo in the mouse.

RESULTS

In vitro PVP was phagocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages. However, PDMS particles were not phagocytosed because of their large size. In vivo, PVP migrated to other organs but did not induce clear histologic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Silicone (PDMS) has been used in the treatment of vesicoureteric reflux in children. It is now necessary to do tests on heavier animals with a long incubation period to know whether these particles migrate and what the histologic and clinical consequences might be.