title: Nasal reconstruction using porous polyethylene implants.
abstract: Nasal reconstruction presents a significant challenge to the facial plastic surgeon. The dual goals of reconstruction are restoration of the desired aesthetic nasal contour and an improved nasal airway. Autologous cartilage and bone are considered optimal grafting material, but their supply is often limited and harvesting entails additional morbidity. Many synthetic materials have been introduced in nasal reconstruction, but high infection and extrusion rates limited their use. Porous high density polyethylene implants present an alternative to autologous material as they allow for fibrovascular ingrowth, leading to stability of the implant and decreased rates of infection. Herein we describe the use of porous high density polyethylene implants for reconstruction of the platyrrhine nose and in revision rhinoplasty. The use of preformed nasal-dorsal tip and alar batten implants are described, as well as the use of columellar strut and premaxillary plumper implants. We believe that porous high density polyethylene implants provide a safe, desirable alternative in functional and aesthetic nasal reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romo
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sclafani
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Jacono
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C084562:Medpor; D011095:Polyethylenes; D020959:Polyethylene