Nose Implant Extrusion Infection?

If you are developing a pustule associated with a nasal implant, you need to seek medical attention, preferably by a surgeon that performs rhinoplasty. The first step will be to drain and culture the pustule and then start antibiotics. If the implant is infected, which is likely, then if antibiotics don't resolve the infection, the implant will need to be removed. An infected nasal implant can become a serious problem resulting in significant deformity if left untreated. You need to see a physician for appropriate care.

In the setting of a silicone implant, infections need to be treated immediately to prevent further complications.  Ideally, you should see your surgeon and be placed on an approriate antibiotic regimen.  With early treatment, it should improve with oral and topical antibiotics.  

I would see a board-certified rhinoplasty specialist experienced in dealing with silicone implants.  The infection can be treated conservatively at first with oral and topical antibiotics.  This will hopefully eliminate the infection.  However, you should be cared for by a rhinoplasty specialist in case you need more aggressive treatment.    

      If there is an infection and purulent material is present, removal of the implant with appropriate antimicrobial coverage would be the recommended course of action.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Unfortunately what you are experiencing is a common story after the placement of an artificial implant in the nose. 

I would recommend seeing an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon as soon as possible in order to treat the infection. If the infection can settle down, you might be able to preserve the implant and avoid another surgery. 

Often times, it is very difficult to completely cure the infection if the implant itself is infected. In these cases, the implant may need to be removed.

Asiandreamer,

no, no, and no.  If this is an extruding, infected implant is must be removed before significant longterm damage is done.  it can be replaced later, but maybe cartilage would be best in your case.  You'll need to have it removed and wait about 2 to 3 months for any revision surgery.  Don't go to a dermatologist, go to a Board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon to have this examined.

I have seen implants extrude as long as 15 years out from surgery.

Chase Lay, MD

If you have pus in your nasal tip and you have a nasal implant, then you probably need to have the implant removed. Best to be seen in person.

Unfortunately the implant has to be removed.  If it is not removed you risk increased scarring and other shape problems. 

Infection adjacent to a silicone implant can be treated with antibiotics but it is usually necessary to remove the implant to eliminate the infection. That is why I have preferred cartilage grafts to augment Asian noses over the past 35 years. There is an increased risk of infection, movement, or extrusion with the use of these implants. Your nose can be revised after the infection is controlled.