The foreign body reaction: A chronic inflammatory response

Abstract A brief discussion is presented of some of the problems and artifacts inherent in the testing of soft tissue reactions to artificial implants. The process of inflammation and wound healing is presented. The various factors affecting the foreign body reaction (chemical, mechanical, geometrical, and others) are discussed. The cellular components of the foreign body reaction are described and the sequential cellular changes that may occur as a result of implanting an artificial device are examined. The foreign body reaction should be considered as a chronic inflammatory response.