The biocompatibility of implanted materials is important to the successful long-term results obtained in reconstructive surgery with these materials. Recently, interest has emerged regarding host response to the wear debris of implanted material. Since 1962 flexible implant materials have been studied in the Orthopaedic Research Department at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center. An important aspect of this study has been a concern for host tolerance and the evaluation of biologic responses to implanted silicone elastomer. Three dogs in which implants of silicone elastomer had been in place for more than ten years were carefully studied by complete autopsy. A benign foreign-body giant cell response to local silicone wear debris was observed. No silicone particles or macrophage giant cell reactions were found in any distant organs. The host response to silicone wear debris was benign, and no adverse systemic influences were noted.

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