Gelatin film. A useful adjunct in rhinoplastic surgery.

Gelfilm is a nonporous, rigid, cellophane-like absorbable gelatin. Its use in preventing adhesions in neurosurgery and ophthalmic, otologic, and chest surgery has been well described. It has not been previously reported for nasal surgery. It incorporates many characteristics of an ideal absorbable implant. The material has been used clinically as a dorsal nasal implant either alone or as a vehicle for autogenous cartilage grafts. Its main function is to diminish adhesions between the nasal bones and dorsal skin after surgery on the nasal pyramid. Its benefits seem most applicable in traumatic or revisionary rhinoplasty. Its use has been well documented in 40 cases with a one-year follow-up. The only disadvantage is a slight prolonged dorsal edema until the implant resorbs. The results have been impressive in both early and late postoperative follow-up because the nasal dorsum appears smoother and the skin nonadherent.