How Can I Prevent Calf Implants From Migrating After Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, is there also a way of being able to by some means attach a calf implant inside the leg to avoid the postoperative movement?

A: Soft tissue muscle implants can not be securely fixed to a stable structure like bone as it done in facial implants. However there are numerous design strategies that I have used to help establish some form of soft tissue fixation including:

1) application of ePTFE strips on the implant’s undersurface, a material that encourages soft tissue adhesion

2) Irregular implant edging/notching

3) Intraoperative creation of perfusion holes cut into the implant prior to insertion

Custom implant designing allows for material alterations that do not exist in off-the-shelf implants

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon