Long-term histological response to intravenous Teflon and silicone in a rat model

Abstract

Particle migration is one of the main concerns raised when implanted plastics are discussed, especially when used for the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteric reflux in children. To study the histological response to migrated plastic material, we injected particulate plastics (Teflon and silicone) into the jugular vein of 21 Sprague-Dawley rats, 11 of which were killed at 12 months, 9 at 2 years, and 1 died at 18 months. The findings were similar for Teflon and silicone and unchanged after from 1 to 2 years. The plastic particles were seen outside pulmonary vessels, within aggregated multinucleate giant cells, surrounded by only small numbers of other types of inflammatory cells.