Korean Rhinoplasty - Concerning Nose Bridge Augmentation Material

Optimally, it is better to use your own tissue such as your own septum, ear or even rib cartilage for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty as this has the best long lasting results. However, silicone is commonly used globally as a dorsal solid silicone implant. If a soft silicone implant is placed just in the dorsum and not in the tip it can be long lasting.

Your question is one of the most common concerns for patients inquiring about augmentation rhinoplasty.  Both silicone and Gore-Tex can be safely used for augmenting the nasal bridge.  Any changes to the tip I would recommend strictly using cartilage grafts. Synthetic materials placed at the tip of the nose tend to have more long-term complications.

This is a common concern in the Asian Rhinoplasty patient. Besides the height of the nasal dorsum, one of the major differences between Asian and Caucasian noses is skin thickness. I think that most North American rhinoplasty surgeons have seen cases of silicone implant infection or extrusion (an implant poking through the skin). I believe the risk of infection, extrusion and complications is higher in thinner skin patients.  So skin thickness is a very important factor that I look at when deciding whether a silicone implant is appropriate - regardless of race.

Using cartilage grafts (solid, crushed or diced ) will reduce these infection risks.  However, they usually provide less augmentation (unless the surgeon uses rib cartilage) and there are risks associated with graft visibility, symmetry and smoothness that are not seen with silicone implants.  However, I have seen silicone implants become encapsulated and/or distorted in a way which makes them visible on the nasal dorsum.