Migration and granulomatous reaction after periurethral injection of polytef (Teflon)
A. A. Malizia Jr, H. M. Reiman, R. P. Myers, J. R. Sande, S. S. Barham, R. C. Benson Jr, M. K. Dewanjee and W. J. Utz
Although patients with urinary incontinence have been treated successfully
by periurethral injection of polytef paste, this study in continent animals
demonstrates migration of polytef particles from the injection site. We
injected polytef paste periurethrally into female dogs and male monkeys.
Particles were found at 50 to 70 days in pelvic nodes in six of seven
animals and lungs in four of seven (the kidneys and brain were not
studied); and at 10 1/2 months in pelvic nodes, lungs, and brain in seven
of seven; kidneys in four of seven; and spleen in two of seven. X-ray
microanalysis confirmed that the particles were polytef. At 10 1/2 months,
polytef granulomas were found at all injection sites and some sites of
distant migration. Since these granulomas signify chronic foreign-body
reaction, we believe that until the long-term effects in humans are known,
polytef paste should not be used in children or young adults with normal
life expectancy.
