Implant Revision Rhinoplasty

View the research papers from The Plus Plastic Surgery medical team.

What is Implant Revision Rhinoplasty?

Implant revision rhinoplasty is often required when the implant shakes or moves easily in any direction. This is commonly seen in patients who have used silicone implants, and occasionally in those who have used Gore-Tex. Other symptoms may include visibility of the implant or distortion. These issues can be resolved surgically by creating a new implant space and adjusting the implant’s position.

When do You Need Implant Revision Rhinoplasty?

Moving or visible implants, or an unnaturally high bridge of the nose, are common in patients with thin skin on the bridge of the nose. However, these issues can also arise due to complications from previous surgeries. Symptoms may include:

The implant is too narrow or wide compared to the base of the nose bone.
The implant is located too close to the skin.
A too high and large implant was used.
Severe calcification in old silicone implants.
The implant is located without correcting the wide nose bone base.
The boundary of the implant is exposed due to capsular contracture.

Methods for Implant Revision Rhinoplasty

Replacement of the nasal implant: This could involve changing Gore-Tex to silicone, changing silicone to Gore-Tex, or changing from an implant to autologous tissue.
Change of insertion position: If the existing implant is too close to the skin, it is corrected to a deeper position using subperiosteal dissection.
Additional reinforcement of the nasal skin: In patients with thin or damaged skin, the nasal skin must be reinforced using deep temporal fascia, dermal fat tissue, etc.
Correcting the nasal line using osteotomy if the nasal bone is wide: If an implant is used without correcting the existing wide nasal bone, the nasal line may appear unnatural. In such cases, the nasal bone should be moved inward using appropriate osteotomy.
Reinforcement using the existing silicone membrane: This method involves using the existing silicone membrane without removing it.