The Infection after Augmentation Rhinoplasty Using Silicone Implant

ABSTRACT

Augmentation rhinoplasty using silicone implant is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in Korea, but is not without several complications such as exposure of the implant, its deviation and deformity. Above all, infection and extrusion through the skin is most serious complication. The purpose of this study was to determine the type of microbial colonization on silicone implant removed from symptomatic patients and to prevent from the infection. Over the past 11 years, from February of 1996 to February of 2007, we have done 134 aesthetic rhinoplasties using silicone implant in our clinic, patient ages ranged from 15 to 62 years with an average of 29.2 years. 78 percent of patients (105) were female, and 22 percent (29) were male. Among them, four cases had the local infection. The infection rate was 2.9 percent. Total six cases of implant including the other two case augmented elsewhere having the infection were removed and submitted for Gram stain, standard aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture, and fungal cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated most frequently (four cases), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (one case) and Proteus mirabilis (one case). No fungal infections were identified. In order to reduce the infection rates after augmentation rhinoplasty using silicone implant, rhinorrhea as a source of bacterial nutrients should thoroughly be managed perioperatively. The hairs of the nostril should appropriately be shaved, and the patient's entire face and internal nares meticulously prepared. The implant should be shaped to be shorter, smaller and thinner, appropriately to the patient's nasal phenotype. Also, subperiosteal implantation rather than subcutaneous or subfascial is better choice.