How Hard Is Medpor Chin Implant Removal?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m interested in Medpor implant removal. I’ve heard many horror stories about Medpor removals, such as nerve injury. But my understanding is that Medpor implant is placed under the periosteum — shouldn’t this separate the nerve/muscle and the implant. Or is that because they are adherent, so it requires a careful dissection to avoid tearing the nerve ending? 

I was wondering if this “traumatic” removal will hurt the soft tissue, which leads to any functional problem or any indentation. 

Also, many surgeons state that revision surgery is much harder because of more scar tissue and its contracture. It’s definitely harder for a nose job, but how about chin surgery? Will scar removal + fat grafting helps the revision surgery? 

Thanks, and I’m looking forward to your reply.

A:cOn a comparative basis to solid silicone (which is the unspoken point of reference) Medpor implant removal is considerably more difficult and has some higher risks due to its robust tissue adherence. But that being said I have removed hundreds of Medpor implants and have not seen any adverse problems such as nerve injury or significant soft tissue issues. You do have to be careful, as you have alluded to, that the chin implant wing may be close to the mental nerve. The more relevant issue, like any chin implant removal regardless of its material, what is going to happen to the expanded overly soft tissues once the underlying implant support is removed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana