In vivo analysis of bacterial biofilm formation on facial plastic bioimplants

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 1998-11, Vol.108 (11), p.1733-1738
• Main Authors: Malaisrie, Sukit Christopher, Malekzadeh, Sonya, Biedlingmaier, John F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - chemistry; Bacterial Adhesion; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biofilm; Biofilms - growth & development; bioimplant; Biological and medical sciences; biomaterial; Chlorhexidine - chemistry; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; Face - surgery; Guinea Pigs; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Materials Testing; Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polyethylenes - chemistry; Polytetrafluoroethylene - chemistry; Prostheses and Implants - microbiology; Prosthesis Failure; Prosthesis Implantation; Prosthesis-Related Infections - etiology; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Silicones - chemistry; Silver - chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus - physiology; Suppuration; Surface Properties; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Titanium - chemistry
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1097/00005537-199811000-00026

Objectives: This study examines the formation of biofilm on biomaterials commonly used in facial plastics and reconstruction including titanium, silicone, ionbombarded silicone (Ultrasil), e‐PTFE (Gore‐Tex), e‐PTFE with silver/chlorhexidine (Gore‐Tex Plus), and PHDPE (Medpor). Methods: These biomaterials were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsum of 11 guinea pigs after contamination with Staphylococcus aureus and examined with scanning electron microscopy after 7 days. Wounds were also inspected for infection and extrusion rates. Results: Results show biofilm formation on titanium, silicone, ion‐bombarded silicone, e‐PTFE, and PHDPE associated with high rates of extrusion and infection. Implants of e‐PTFE with silver/chlorhexidine, on the other hand, appeared resistant to biofilm formation and demonstrated significantly lower rates of extrusion and infection. Conclusions: Contamination of bioimplants in vivo leads to formation of bacterial biofilm on the surface of the biomaterial, causing infection, pus formation, and extrusion. The authors hypothesize that the antiseptic agents impregnated in the biomaterial form a protective coat of silver, chlorhexidine, and inflammatory cells that inhibits initial bacterial adhesion to the biomaterial surface. Laryngoscope, 108:1733–1738, 1998