L-Shaped Implant Case (4)

* Basic Information

# Female in her 30s

# The skin at the tip of the nose became extremely thin after receiving an L-shaped silicone implant several years ago.

* Consultation

# In the pre-operative CT scan, the L-shaped implant was so large that the nasal tip skin wasn’t just thinning; it was on the verge of perforation.

# After thoroughly explaining the risk that the skin could potentially tear during surgery, I recommended immediate removal. Simultaneously, we planned to reinforce the skin thickness in the thinned areas using soft tissue and dermis.

* Surgical Plan

# Nasal tip surgery (reinforcing thinned skin, septal extension graft)

# Bridge surgery (implant replacement)

* Intraoperative Findings

# Notice how bright red the nasal tip is before surgery? Because the L-shaped implant was too large and extended all the way to the tip, the skin was in a state of extreme thinning—nearly about to burst through.

# While preserving as much skin as possible, the implant was removed, and the thinned skin was reinforced with cartilage and soft tissue.

* Postoperative Findings

# While the redness of the nasal tip skin cannot disappear entirely, you can see it has returned significantly to a natural skin tone compared to before surgery. By layering cartilage and soft tissue under the thinned area, the recovery looks very successful.

# When performing revision surgery, it is crucial to establish a perfect plan and prepare thoroughly beforehand. One must consider various variables in advance to respond flexibly to unexpected situations that may arise during surgery!

Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon!

Wishing you both health and beauty today :)

Right Mind, Right Plastic Surgery – Dr. Yu Young-moon

Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur after surgery depending on the individual, and caution is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the skin at the tip of the nose become thin due to side effects of L-implants?

Yes, it is possible. If an L-implant is inserted too large up to the tip of the nose, the skin at the tip of the nose can become thin, or in severe cases, it can reach a state just before perforation. In this case, implant removal and skin augmentation are necessary.

How can thinning skin at the tip of the nose be augmented?

Thinning skin at the tip of the nose can be augmented by using soft tissue, dermis, or cartilage to increase its thickness. In this case, after removing the implant, the thinned skin was reinforced with cartilage and soft tissue.

How do you plan revision surgery after L-implant removal?

After L-implant removal, revision surgery can be planned to include both tip plasty (thin skin augmentation, septal extension graft) and bridge plasty (implant replacement). It is important to accurately assess the condition with a CT scan before surgery.

Can redness at the tip of the nose also be improved?

Yes, it can be improved. The skin at the tip of the nose, which was red due to the L-implant before surgery, can largely return to a flesh tone after removing the implant and augmenting the thinned skin with cartilage and soft tissue.

What is the most important aspect of revision rhinoplasty?

When undergoing revision rhinoplasty, it is most important to plan and prepare perfectly before the surgery. Various variables should be considered in advance to flexibly respond to unexpected situations that may arise during surgery.

Should revision surgery always be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Yes, that's correct. Revision rhinoplasty is a complex and delicate procedure, so it is crucial to consult and undergo surgery with a board-certified plastic surgeon. The experience and knowledge of a specialist lead to safe results.