Proplast implants used in otology and in facial reconstructive surgery.

Proplast, a self-stabilising alloplastic material, was evaluated in ear surgery and in facial reconstructive surgery. Proplast implants were used on 33 patients to reconstruct the ossicular chain (total or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis), or to rebuild the mastoid cavity. The lack of extrusion over a 24-month period is encouraging. In facial reconstructive surgery 11 patients received Proplast implants to augment and restore facial contours. Contamination with saliva remains a problem, owing to the high porosity of Proplast, which could harbour infection. When Proplast was sterile when implanted, no extrusion appeared over a 12-month period. Although the patients presented here were followed up for a relatively short time, they provide reason for some optimism that the vexed question of alloplastics applied in the field of ear, nose and throat surgery may be solved.