Evaluation of the biocompatibility of silicone gel implants on rat subcutaneous tissue. Histomorphometric study

Abstract

Objective. Histomorphometric study to evaluate the biological tissue compatibility of silicone implants suitable for plastic surgery. Materials and Methods. Thirty Wistar white rats received subcutaneous implants ande the revestiment of silicone gel Silimed, and randomized into six groups of five animals each, according to the type of implanted material and the time of sacrifice. Eight areas of 60.11 mm2 corresponding to the obtained surgical pieces were analyzed, counting mesenchymal cells, eosinophils, and foreign body giant cells, observing an acceptable biocompatibility in all implants, for subsequent statistical analysis by Tukey test. Results. Silicone gel showed inflammation slightly greater than for other groups, with tissue reactions varying from light to moderate, whose result was the formation of a fibrous capsule around the material, recognized by the organism as a foreign body. Conclusion. In general, it is possible to affirm that silicone gel had acceptable levels of biocompatibility, confirmed the rare presence of foreign body giant cells, and when of the rupture, formed a fibrous capsule around the material, separating the material of the organism.