Comparing Pros and Cons of Nasal Implants: Artificial vs. Autologous Tissue Implants

For those who desire an aesthetic upgrade through plastic surgery,

rhinoplasty is one of the most popular procedures.

The nose, being centrally located on the face, significantly impacts one's overall impression,

which is why it receives so much attention.

Noses come in various forms: bulbous nose, aquiline nose, crooked nose, upturned nose, and short nose, among others.

The surgical method varies greatly depending on its shape and condition,

and the type of implant used also differs.

Therefore, Diva Plastic Surgery accurately diagnoses each individual's current condition

to proceed with the surgery.

We are particularly cautious when selecting rhinoplasty implants.

Today, we will compare the pros and cons of rhinoplasty implants to examine the characteristics of artificial and autologous tissue implants.

Implants used in the nose are fundamentally safe materials with minimal tissue reaction.

However, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of material is determined by the patient's condition.

Classification of Rhinoplasty Implants

Rhinoplasty implants are broadly categorized into artificial implants, autologous tissue, and allogeneic tissue.

It is not wise to blindly trust autologous tissue just because it uses one's own tissue,

nor is it true that artificial implants are unsafe.

It is safest to consider the basics and make a decision in consultation with a specialist.

Therefore, it is important to understand which surgical method is applied to which type of nose,

and what kind of materials are used.

Artificial Rhinoplasty Implants

Silicone

This is the most commonly used implant for nose surgery.

Approved by the U.S. FDA, it is harmless to the human body.

It does not change or get absorbed within the body and has the advantage of allowing for a more precise shape

compared to Gore-Tex.

Occasionally, it may show through if the skin is thin, so it is primarily used for individuals with thick skin and a low nose bridge.

Gore-Tex

This is a fibrous material that is very soft, and after insertion,

it adheres to the surrounding tissues, preventing movement after surgery.

It has been used in the surgical field to create artificial blood vessels,

and nowadays, it is widely used as a rhinoplasty material that can replace silicone.

The subtle porous structure of Gore-Tex, which feels softer than silicone,

can lead to a slight decrease in height over time after implantation.

This implant is suitable for individuals with thin skin or for surgeries focusing on the nasal bridge rather than creating a sharp nasal tip.

Medpor

Medpor is an implant commonly referred to as ‘artificial bone’ and is primarily

used in noble line surgery, temple augmentation, and chin augmentation.

Due to its material, it can feel harder than other materials.

Autologous Tissue Rhinoplasty Implants

Ear Cartilage

This is the most commonly used autologous tissue material for nose surgery, primarily for nasal tip surgery.

It also serves to protect the skin from the implant placed in the nose.

Septal Cartilage

This is the firm, thin wall of cartilage located between the two nostrils.

It is mainly used for significantly raising the nasal tip or for nasal tip extension in short noses.

Rib Cartilage

The anterior cartilage of the 6th to 8th ribs is used.

It is the most important material in rhinoplasty using only autologous tissue,

and is primarily used when septal cartilage is insufficient in short nose surgeries.

Dermal Fat Graft

Autologous dermal fat is a tissue that can be used for patients who prefer to avoid implants, or who have undergone multiple surgeries

and have insufficient subcutaneous tissue in the nose, or in cases of severe previous inflammation.

It can be considered the safest tissue among materials that can augment the nasal bridge, but

about 30-40% of it is absorbed within the first year after transplantation.

Therefore, considering the reduction in volume after several months, the surgery requires a relatively large graft,

which means the nose may appear larger than expected and unnatural for several months after the procedure.

Due to the nature of cosmetic surgery, which aims for quick naturalness and less noticeable surgical sites,

this material is not commonly used despite its excellent quality.

Allogeneic Tissue Rhinoplasty Implants

Allogeneic tissue refers to tissue from another person that is identical to one's own tissue,

excluding immunological differences.

The most representative example is AlloDerm.

Since it is best to perform surgery with a material comparable to autologous tissue,

autologous cartilage and AlloDerm are most frequently used.

AlloDerm is a material processed from human dermis through special treatment.

Unlike artificial implants, it is soft without foreign body reactions and effective in creating a smooth nasal bridge or tip.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Autologous Tissue

There is no need for separate hospitalization after surgery,

and stitches are removed after 5-7 days, helping to achieve long-lasting satisfactory results.

Autologous tissue rhinoplasty involves selecting the appropriate autologous tissue for each individual,

harvesting the autologous tissue from the chosen site, meticulously suturing it,

designing the shape of the autologous implant to fit the surgical area, then

incising and dissecting the surgical area, and finally implanting the autologous graft into the surgical site.

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