Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between infection and hair follicles after expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implantation, and to discuss the cause of infection. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into the experimental group （n =20） and the control group （n =20）. In experimental group, e-FFFE was implanted subcutaneously （defined as group A） and subcorium （defined as group B） on the left and right side of the rats＂ back respectively. In control group, the left side （defined as group C） and the right side （defined as group D） of the rats＂ back were only separated anatomically. Samples were harvested at 1, 3 and 4 weeks post-operation. Samples were observed grossly and histologically. The corresponding inflammatory factors were detected via ELISA and statistical analysis was done. Results Swelling skins with effusion were found in group B, which got worse gradually. However, no similar symptom occurred in any other groups. Both histological and ELISA analysis indicated that group B undergone more severe inflammatory reaction than group A. Also the situation worsen throughout observation time. No inflammatory reaction was found in group C and D. The relevant differences were statistically significant. Conclusion E-PTFE contacted with hair follicles could lead to serious inflammation, and it is one of the important causes of local infection after rhinoplasty with e-PTFE.

Key words: Expanded polyterafluoroethylene, Hair follicles, Rhinoplasty, Infection