What is the rate of extrusion or infection with permanent sutures (nylon) in rhinoplasty?

Question

Is it common to use them inside the nose (septal extension graft fixation)? What is the infection or extrusion rate (%) ? Thank you for your answers, and I wish you happy holidays

Callum Faris, MD · Answer

Great question. Most Surgeon still use permanent sutures in the nose to stabilise cartilage grafts etc. They can extrude rarely, but no one knows the true extrusion rate. There are just too many variables, size of suture, area of placement in the nose, thin skin, infection etc. Many high volume rhinoplasty surgeons I know have had one or two cases of permanent suture extrusion. It is for this reason I have switched to PDS sutures for the vast majority of my nasal sutures. PDS is a slow dissolving suture, and in the nose it hangs around long enough till the new scar formation stabilises the nose/nose reconstruction. As they dissolve over 6 months I have not had a problem of them extruding or cause a stitch abscess in the nose. I hope this helps

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Nylon sutures are commonly used for cartilage suturing in rhinoplasty.  It would be exceedingly rare to have extrusion or infection.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Permanent sutures are a crucial component of open structural rhinoplasty. They have been used for decades without any higher infection rate than outdated reductive rhinoplasties where no sutures are used. Best of luck!

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

I have not seen a fine nylon suture extrude in a modern well performed rhinoplasty. Infection is theoretically possible but exceedingly rare. Happy Holidays

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we no longer use nylon sutures in the nasal tip because we had several patients  who had stitch abscesses from them. We now use the type of  sutures that take approximately six months to dissolve.

David Alessi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The rate of extrusion is very low.  When permanent sutures are place near an incision, extrusion happens.  With rhinoplasties, the permanent sutures are covered by the nasal skin.  I have only seen a couple in my 27 year career and these were from poorly done surgeries.  Best wishes.

What is the rate of extrusion or infection with permanent sutures (nylon) in rhinoplasty?

Answers (6)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (6)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Is it normal to have a divot between the lower lateral cartilage of the nose? Is there any options to change it?

The tip of my nose is hollow, I don't think I have enough cartilage to remove, will this be a problem during surgery? (Photos)

Is latera spirox good for collapsed nostrils? (Photos)

Can you break your nose with little to no pain? It is only slightly crooked, but it barely hurts.

Will my nostrils drop to normal position? My nostrils aren't level and are exposed.

Should polysporin make my nose worse before making it better? After closed rhinoplasty - had surgery 48hrs ago.

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS