Are The Risks Greater With A Secondary Genioplasty As Opposed To The First Time?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Are there any risks to a genioplasty revision not present in the original procedure (or risks that rise when you do a revision, versus the original)? I.e.: mentalis sag, infection, step off

• About how many secondary genioplasties have you done? (can be in the last few years, or whichever time period, but let me know which one you are using). When was the most recent secondary genioplasty you did?
• In your patients who undergo secondary genioplasty: has anyone ever experienced complications, and if so what kind? Have you ever had issues removing the original hardware?
• Does secondary genioplasty become more difficult to perform/get good outcomes from the further along post-op you are from the original procedure? (maybe because bone grows around the hardware, for ex.). How far along post-op are secondary genioplasty patients, usually?
• is it riskier/less risky to do a submental incision, versus intraoral?

Thank you!

A: In answer to your secondary genioplasty questions:

1) The risks are identical to the first genioplasty.

2) I so bout 10 to 12 secondary genioplasties a year.

3) Unless bicortical screws are used for fixation removal of existing plates and screws is not a problem.

4) Secondary genioplasties are done weeks to years after the original procedure. It is obviously easier to at weeks after surgery rather years but they can be successfully done in the short or long-term.

5) You can not do a sliding genioplasty through a submental skin incision….unless the goal was a reduction and not additional forward bone movement.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana