How Can I Reverse A Prior Sliding Genioplasty?

Q:Dr. Eppley, Hello! I found your practice online because I have been researching sliding genioplasty reversals. I am interested in having a sliding genioplasty reversal. I had a sliding genioplasty 7 years ago with a 4mm advancement forward. Unfortunately, it made my face look significantly longer and wider. I would like to learn more about sliding genioplasty reversals and go over which options would be best. I would ultimately like to have a shorter more narrow chin. Please let me know if I am a candidate and if a reversal or chin shaving surgery would be best for me. Thank you.

A: As you have metioned there are two methods for ‘chin reduction’ after a sliding genioplasty, submental chin shaving and secondary sliding genioplasty, both of which can create vertical height reduction and width narrowing. Each method has their advantages and disadvantages. Chin shaving avoids an intraoral osteotomy approach at the expense of a submental incision/scar. The osteotomy method avoids a submental scar but is prone to increased risks of bony irregularities and some redundant submental tissue laxity.

In essence there is no perfect way to do it without risks/tradeoffs. Augmenting the chin is ‘easy’ but reducing introduces new issues that were not as pertinent as the first surgery.

One major consideration is what degree of changes are needed.  If there are only minor amounts  (a few millimeters) vertical and width change then the submental shaving method would be more appropriate. However if the changes needed ar more significant then the osteotomy method may be preferred.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon