Porous Polyethylene Implant

Implants in rhinoplasty are not uncommon and they have been used for ages. Implants not only help in the augmentation of the nose but also play an important part in correcting the deformities caused because of previous Rhinoplasties or trauma injuries.

Among the most common implants in recent times, Porous Polyethylene Implants have gained a lot of popularity. The use of Porous Polyethylene Implants is not limited to use as implants in Rhinoplasty but it is also used in chin augmentation and ear reconstruction. One of the most useful uses of the same is in the case of burnt ears.  Especially in the cases of revision, Rhinoplasty porous polyethylene implants give the surgeon the flexibility to model the implant to suit the nose the best. Autogenous implants lack in terms of availability, difficulty in shaping the graft, and morbidity.

Implants in Rhinoplasty are not an easy operation to perform because there are several limiting factors such as the thinness or thickness of the skin, availability of the tissue, and damage done because of previous injuries.

What is Porous Polyethylene (PE) Implants?

PE implants are made up of high-density, inert, non-absorbable, and non-antigenic material. The pore size can range from 160 to 368 micrometers.

Are you a candidate for Porous Polyethylene (PE) Implants?

Only after a thorough examination of the patient’s medical history can the surgeon ok them for Rhinoplasty. To determine the need for silicone nose implants the surgeon will perform a thorough scan of the present condition of the nose. Patient’s expectations are also considered when deciding what type of implant is needed and what will be suitable. Different options are discussed in detail.

The use of PE implants is not limited to raising the height of the nose and tip definition, it can also be used for septal extension graft, spreader graft, and columellar strut.

Methods used in PE implants

Rhinoplasty operations for installing PE implants are generally done as an open approach with general anesthesia. First, the septal deviation if present is corrected and the PE sheets are prepared according to the size and requirement for the nose. For example, if it is for the spreader graft the implant in Rhinoplasty will be placed on the dorsal side, and for septal extension the implant is carved to give the ideal projection and rotation to the tip of the nose. The PE implants are fixed using sutures.

Various surgical techniques are used for installing Porous Polyethylene (PE) Implants in Rhinoplasty. These include Single-Plate Columellar Strut, Double Plate Columellar Strut and Butterfly shaped Strut. The single plate implant is used in normal augmentation, the double plate is used in cases of cleft lip nasal Rhinoplasty and the butterfly-shaped strut is used to treat the nasal areas where double plate have already been used.

Traditionally, rib cartilage rhinoplasty was used as struts, but in Asian patients, the rib cartilages are not enough and therefore PE implants were needed to provide adequate tip support.  Porous Polyethylene Implants are rigid enough to provide strength to the existing structure and have a high resorption rate. Another advantage is that they have good biocompatibility and therefore chances of allergies and infections are minimalized. Because of the micro pores tissues can grow into them and therefore these implants gain extra stability. However, the disadvantage associated with the same is that Porous Polyethylene Implants can be difficult to remove later on. The necessity to remove them mostly arises as the persona ages and the skin and tissue tone changes.  Using sutures to cover up the strut and using screws to fix it on the nasal spine can help prevent displacement to a great extent. Porous Polyethylene Implants have turned out to be an excellent alternative for implants in Rhinoplasty worldwide.

Porous Polyethylene Implant Before After Photos, See the Patient Results-

Frequently Asked Questions for Porous Polyethylene Implant-

Question 1: What is Porous Polyethylene Implant?

Porous polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer having pores that are between 100 and 200 microns in size. It is used to replace the auditory ossicles with alloplastic in addition to other materials.

Question 2: What is Polyethylene Implant?

An implant made of polyethylene is a porous synthetic polymer that is non-biodegradable and physiologically inert. Since 1985, plastic surgeons have employed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) solid implants for facial augmentation, either for reconstructive or cosmetic reasons.

Question 3: What are the Disadvantages of Implant?

During the first several months, you can encounter brief side effects such as headaches, nausea, breast soreness, and mood swings. Your menstrual cycle might change or end entirely. You could develop acne or your acne could worsen.

Reference Link-

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955470/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26276064/
  3. https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1097366

 


About Dr. Debraj Shome

Dr. Debraj Shome- Facial Plastic Surgeon in Mumbai, India

Dr. Debraj Shome – Founder, The Esthetic Clinics, is a top facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Shome is currently a Consultant at the best Mumbai hospitals like Saifee Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, Nanavati Hospital & Apollo Spectra Hospital in Mumbai, India. He has 40+ research papers in the best international journals, numerous presentations at conferences & many awards such as “Best Plastic Surgeon in Mumbai”, “Best Plastic Surgeon in India”, Best Cosmetic Surgeon in India”, “Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Mumbai”, “Breakthrough Innovator in Facial Plastic Surgery” etc. A celebrity plastic surgeon, Dr. Shome believes plastic, reconstructive & cosmetic face surgery can allow you to lead a more fulfilled life….Read more

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