Surgiform is a high-quality, medical-grade implant material made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Its unique porous structure allows surrounding tissue to grow into the material, promoting better integration and stability in the nose. This makes Surgiform a popular choice for rhinoplasty, especially for patients seeking a natural look and feel.
Advantages of Surgiform Over Other Materials:
Better Tissue Integration: Unlike silicone, which has a smooth, non-porous surface, Surgiform’s porous texture encourages tissue growth, helping the implant stay in place and reducing the risk of shifting or extrusion. This also lowers the likelihood of complications such as capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue forms around the implant.
Natural Feel and Look: Surgiform is softer and more flexible than silicone, making it feel more like natural cartilage. This flexibility helps it conform more naturally to the patient’s anatomy, providing a more organic and seamless result.
Lower Risk of Infection: The porous surface of Surgiform promotes better tissue integration, which reduces the risk of infection compared to smooth silicone implants that do not offer the same level of tissue integration.
Long-Term Durability: Surgiform is known for maintaining its shape and structural integrity over time. It also tends to maintain its initial thickness, making it possible to predict the height of the nose after rhinoplasty.
Less Detectable: Surgiform’s ability to blend seamlessly with the surrounding tissue helps it remain less detectable under the skin compared to both silicone and Gore-Tex, offering a more natural aesthetic.
Comparing Surgiform to Silicone and Gore-Tex:
Silicone: While silicone implants are rigid, durable, and provide reliable shape, they don’t integrate with the tissue as well as Surgiform. This can lead to higher chances of complications such as implant displacement and capsular contracture (scar tissues hardening). Additionally, silicone implants may feel less natural compared to Surgiform, which mimics the consistency of natural cartilage.
Gore-Tex: Gore-Tex also integrates with tissue well due to its ePTFE composition, but it tends to be more rigid than Surgiform. While Gore-Tex is durable, Surgiform’s softer, more flexible nature allows it to conform better to the patient’s nose and offer a more natural feel. Additionally, Gore-Tex implants can be more challenging to remove if necessary, as they integrate more deeply with the nasal tissue.
Additional Considerations:
Cost: Surgiform implants are generally more expensive than Gore-Tex or silicone implants, which may influence a patient's choice depending on budget considerations.
Revision Surgeries: Silicone implants are generally easier to remove and revise compared to Gore-Tex or Surgiform implants, which integrate with the nasal tissue and can be more challenging to extract.
In summary, Surgiform combines the best qualities of both silicone and Gore-Tex—offering excellent tissue integration, natural aesthetics, and a lower risk of complications—making it an ideal choice for many rhinoplasty patients seeking a durable, long-lasting, and natural result.
