9 months post op rhinoplasty, incision got infected and I can see the silicone. Is there any other way to heal an open wound?

Question

I had my nose job a year ago (close surgery). It had been 9 months since the operation and I think the part of the incision hadn't fully healed. It got infected and made a tiny hole. My doctor stitched it up again hoping that it would finally close. 2 weeks after and he removed the stitches the wound was still open and it got worst! Now it's bigger and I can see the silicone inside. Though the wound got better after 3 weeks, I'm losing hope that it will totally close as the wound easily gets infected. Please enlighten me. I'm choosing between removing the silicone and wait 6 months for another rhinoplasty or cling on to the hope that it will naturally heal or any other way for the wound to close.

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing after your rhinoplasty.  Of course, a detailed in person examination would be needed but from what you are describing it appears that the silicone implant is exposed through an open wound.  Unfortunately, once the implant has been exposed it will likely need to be removed.  The implant becomes seeded with bacteria from the nose making it very difficult to salvage.  In such a case, the implant would need to be ultimately removed and replaced with a graft using your bodies own cartilage.

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Obviously, it's best to examine you in person and know the specific circumstances around your case to give you definitive recommendation. Generally speaking, it's hard to eradicate the infection or heal an open wound in the presence of a foreign body, in this case a silicone implant. Once the implant is removed, the infection controlled and the tissues cooled down, a revision rhinoplasty using autologous or cadaveric cartilage graft can be attempted. You should discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Best,

David Janssen, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with an exposed silicone implant in your nose.  Once the implant is exposed to bacteria, it is very difficult and almost impossible to keep it.  Utilizing other opportunities including ear cartilage, rib cartilage, or AlloDerm become other options. You likely are going to lose the silicone implant in the dorsum of her nose.  Resuturing it has not been proven to work.

9 months post op rhinoplasty, incision got infected and I can see the silicone. Is there any other way to heal an open wound?

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9 months post op rhinoplasty, incision got infected and I can see the silicone. Is there any other way to heal an open wound?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.