Removal of Nasal Implants
Nasal implants are used to enhance the dorsal bridge of the nose in patients who have limited cartilage reserve within the septum and who do not want cartilage grafting into the nose. Most nasal implants are made of a flexible silicone material that is placed into the nasal bridge using a small incision that is hidden within the mucosa of the nose.
Silicone nasal implants have a finite risk of infection or extrusion and these complications may prompt immediate removal of the nasal implant in order to avoid long-term complications. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a nose specialist in Los Angeles and specializes in the removal of silicone nasal implants from the nose.
Patient who have signs of an infection of a nasal implant often complain of redness and warmth along the bridge of the nose surrounding the implant. A small percentage of infected nasal implants can be corrected with IV antibiotics but the most definitive treatment is to remove the implant and allow the soft tissue of the nose to heal.
Extrusion of the implant through the skin of the nose is another major complication that may prompt immediate removal of a nasal implant. If the implant is not placed in the correct position, it may eventually erode through the skin of the nose and even damage the underlying structural cartilage. Patients who have an ulcer or erosion of the skin require immediate removal of the implant and correction of the skin.
Although facial implants are quite popular in the United States, a small percentage of them may have complications that require immediate attention. Dr. Karamanoukian is a specialist nose surgeon in Los Angeles who has expertise in the management of nose implant complications. Please call our Los Angeles plastic surgery office to schedule an appointment to discuss your options for nasal implant removal.