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Rhinoplasty With Silicone Bridge Aug- When Would Potential Infection Occur?

asked 11 months ago by jloo
Latest answer by Jon Sattler, MD
Question viewed 433 times
Tags: implant, infection, timing

i recently had a rhinoplasty with silicon bridge augmentation. my understanding is with any foreign implant there is a significant chance of infection. is there a spcific window of time (ie. first month, first year, etc) where infection is most likely to occur? if i go through this window safely, do i no longer have to worry about infection? thank you for your time!

13 answers to Rhinoplasty With Silicone Bridge Aug- When Would Potential Infection Occur?

Infection should be an ongoing concern

Unfortunately, there is no "window" of time through which you can pass safely. There is always a chance of infection, even years after surgery. The good news is that your body responds to the implant by creating scar tissue around the implant, making it easier for surgeons to remove, if needed.

Daniel J. Leeman, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhino with a silicone implant ... infection

The bad news is that it can be infected any tiime after it is placed. It is a foreign body placed in your nose. While the body isolates it with a layer of fibritic tissue there can still be problems associated with biofilm and other sources of infection that can cause a full blown infection at any time. The good news is that the longer you have it appears there is less chance of being infected. I hope that this is helpful for you . Jon Sattler, MD... more

Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon

Infection after Silicone Nasal Implant

As you would expect, if one develops an infection after placement of a silicone nasal implant it is most likely to occur right after the surgical procedure. Although rare, an infection is possible months or years later. This is why i prefer to use the patient's own tissue for nasal augmentation. Now that the implant has been placed, it would be reasonable to leave well enough alone, but seek medical care if redness, swelling, or pain occurs in the future. If necessary, the silicone... more

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Infection risk with silicone dorsal implant during Rhinoplasty

I have performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years and have used countless dorsal silicone grafts. IMHO, the risk of infection is quite low (do not agree that the risk is significant) and the risk does decreease over the subsequent months as the nasal incisions heal and the nasal tissues form a capsule around the implant. Trauma, to the nose, that causes bleeding around the implant or twisting/pinching, of the nose, with sufficient force to re-open the superior aspect... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

The Risk Of Complications With Nasal Implants Relates To Size And Shape

As with any implant placed in the body, there is no time limit in terms of potential complications. A nose implant is no exception. But the risk of infection with any facial implant is highest in the first few months after surgery. Once this time period has passed, the risk of infection decreases albeit never goes completely away. The long-term risk, and the more likely one, with a nasal implant is tissue thinning and/or extrusion. This is a risk that can actually increase over time not... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Building nasal bridge with Silicone implants

Silicone nasal bridge implants are susceptible to infections and extrusions forever.

Vasdev Rai, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Silicone window

There is no exact window. I have seen them get infected right away and also years later. You will definitely know if it happens. Most of the time they work well so don't worry. Just go with it

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Silicone implant problems depend partly on implant shape

If your implant is just along the bridge, you may be OK for many years. If, however, your implant is L-shaped and there is tension on your nasal tip, be very watchful. Unfortunately, the time for a problem never "expires." I assume that your surgeon told you that fact. If you do have a problem, however, you can still be reconstructed again using your own cartilage and bone. Just be sure to see an expert surgeon experienced on your problem--and whom you... more

Mark B. Constantian, MD
Nashua Plastic Surgeon

Silicone infections

Unfortunately you are never going to be out of the woods for infection once you have a silicone implant in your nose. I have seen them happen a few months to several years after placement. The important thing is to make sure you see your surgeon early if you have any redness, swelling, pus, etc. That is the reason many surgeons prefer not to use any artifical materials for rhinoplasty. This is a fairly controversial topic amongst rhinoplasty surgeons, however. more

Colin Pero, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drpero.com

Infection after nasal silicone implant

Usually an infection would occur in the early post op period with placement of an implant. That said, an infection could occur at any time usually due to erosion through the tissues with implant exposure. Patients with thick tissues decrease this from happening, but no one is totally immune to this process. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Implants

Hi, Silicone implants work great if they are placed correctly. They have to be the right size and shape and placed into the right tissue plane in a tight pocket. They also must be secured with a permanent stitch. When placed correctly, the risk of infection is very low. After the first 7 to 10 days after insertion the risk of infection does go down. However, as with any implant, there will always be a slight risk of infection. If it ever did get infected, they can be easily removed and... more

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

Silicone Implants for the Nose and Infections

Augmentation of the bridge of the nose is very popular, especially in Asain countries. Most rhinoplasty surgeons prefer autologous tissue like cartilage to an implant, and the lower risk of infection is part of the reason. Post operative infection rates are low. Infections most commonly develop during the week after surgery, but the potential for infection remains as long as the implant is in place. Two problems with silicone nasal implants make infections more likely in this area... more

Joseph Mele, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

Infections and Silicone Nasal Implants

I am not a big fan of silicone nasal implants because there is no time period after which the implant is safe from infection. I have taken out infected implants years after they were placed. An interesting fact regarding these, however, is that they seem to be much better tolerated in Asian noses than in Caucasian or Afro-American noses. For this reason, it is a very popular procedure in the Far-East.