Objective: Resorbable collagen membranes (RCMs) are commonly used by oral surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists for multiple purposes. We report 6 cases of RCMs that did not resorb as expected and describe the histopathologic features.
Study design: Cases of an unusual fibrillar foreign material were noted in biopsy specimens curetted from bone. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stains were performed. Clinicians were contacted for detailed clinical information.
Results: There were 3 men and 3 women. RCMs presented as hyalinized, paucicellular, delicate eosinophilic fibrils or a meshwork without a foreign body reaction. They were refractile and stained for Masson trichrome as expected. These RCMs persisted longer than expected (2-6 weeks) in 3 cases and may have retarded healing in 5 cases.
Conclusions: Although RCM is supposed to be fairly rapidly resorbable, this material sometimes persists within wound sites without any obvious foreign body reaction and may retard healing.
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