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Does Silastic Implant for Rhinoplasty Look More Fake Than Cartilage?

asked 2 years ago by Smokey86 in Wisconsin
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,802 times
Tags: nose, cartilage

I am thinking whether or not to have a nose surgery. My doctor said I do not have enough carilage on my ears and I also do not want a scar on my breast. Will silastic implants look more fake? Will silastic implants last a lifetime?

13 answers to Does Silastic Implant for Rhinoplasty Look More Fake Than Cartilage?

Silastic Implants in the Nose

Done properly, neither silastic or cartilage grafts should look unnatural. I prefer cartilage grafts because they become incorporated in the surrounding tissue and last a lifetime. The problem with large silastic imlants is with time they may shift, extrude through the skin, or the edges may become visible. The breast scar after harvesting rib cartilage is usually very small and inconspicuous.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Avoid implants in the nose.

Hi! Most experienced surgeons will tell you that silicone implants with rhinoplasty are associated with a lot of problems such as extrusion and malposition and infection. You are much better off with your own tissues

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silastic vs. cartilage

It sounds as though you need dorsal augmentation. I do not know if you have had previous surgery on your nose which may have an effect on the answer. First of all assume nothing lasts a lifetime and will need to be changed in terms of implants or grafts. I do use both depending upon the deformity in the nose. If there is adequate soft tissue in the nose and no previous scarring from a rhinoplasty I start with a silastic or silicone graft. These do change over time and will probably... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Silastic nasal implants in rhinoplasty

Silastic implants have been used rhinoplasty with good success. The are used most commonly during Asian rhinoplasty, where an augmentation of the bridge is desired. However, the problems with these implants are related to extrusion and, in some cases, an unnatural appearance. The unnatural look is a result of an obvious edge along the side that starts to show several years after the procedure. My personal preference is to use cartilage in most cases. For the bridge of the nose, I like to... more

Amir M. Karam, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drkaram.com

Rhinoplasty implants

I find it very difficult to believe you do not have enough cartilage on your ears (plural) and/or septum. If your deficit is that large, it is most likely you will need a substantial graft which is traditionally your rib (hip bone and skull have also been used). The size of comparable silicone or PTFE (gortex) or polypropylene (medpor) implants to achieve a comparable augmentation would most likely make it more prone to complications, either visibility or rotation, encalpsulation, extrusion... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

No longer use Silastic Implants. I now prefer Gore-Tex (or ePTFE)

I used to do a ton of very slim profile silastic implants but I found that they tend to become shrink wrapped over time where you could see the edges of the implant. I also had problems with extrusion. Cartilage may be a viable option. However, I have found that the edges can become visible over time and there is not enough cartilage to build a bridge smoothly with it. For ethnic noses (like the Asian nose), I prefer to use Gore-Tex sheets that are preformed that I also crimp and... more

Samuel Lam, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal implant for rhinoplasty

I have successfully used preformed nasal implants for years, but to answer your questions: 1. I would not plan on anything lasting a "lifetime". 2. Whether cartilage, bone or a pre made nasal implant are used, the skill and judgement of the surgeon is the primary factor. ie. the most important part of getting a good result, is the surgeon you choose.

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silastic implant for rhinoplasty comparable to cartilage

Silastic implants are very natural-feeling and feel just like a cartilage implant to the nose. They work best with Asian rhinoplasty. They do tend to last a lifetime and generally do not need to be removed or replaced.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Silastic Implants Look & Feel Natural in The Nose

Silastic implants look and feel natural. The only issue is the longevity and the possiblity of implant extrusion over time. The risk of that is low for primary (first time) rhinoplasty. Your reasons for not having rib or ear cartilage used are sound. If the silastic implant fails then you can think of using rib cartilage as a back up. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Implants for use in rhinoplasty

You ask very good questions. Silastic and silicone implants carry with them a risk for extrusion and exposure with rhinoplasties. They may look natural, but using your rib cartilage would also look natural without the high risk of exposure. The incision to remove the rib may not be as noticeable as you would expect. Therefore, take into accout all of the risks and benefits of each choice before making your final decision. Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Silastic nasal implants

Silastic nasal implants are used quite often for dorsal augmentation in rhinoplasty. They can extrude over time and if this happens, they need to be removed. There are other products that can be used including your own rib or septal cartilage of even irradiated cartilage from a cadaver.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silastic implants in rhinoplasty

Silastic implants have been used extensively in rhinoplasty; they are preformed, easy to put in and can look quite good. Unfortunately, they also tend to extrude with time. This occurs more commonly in Caucasians, but I have taken out silicone implants in Asians and African-Americans often enough. I believe that the best way of augmenting a nose is with autologous cartilage (from your septum, ear or rib). An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can give you life long results with this... more

Andres Gantous, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Silastic implant vs. cartilage for Rhinoplasty

My doctor said I do not have enough cartilage on my ears and I also do not want a scar on my breast. - I assume you need a nose augmentation. This is commonly done with an on lay graft on the top of the nose. Apparently, your surgeon felt that harvesting cartilage from the back of both ears would not be sufficient and felt that harvesting rib cartilage (through an under the breast incision) may be called for. BE AWARE - Grafts from your OWN body (AUTOLOGOUS) have the longest track record for... more