When Should I Revise A Malpositioned Medpor Jaw Angle Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have been reading many of your articles on exploreplasticsurgery.com on jaw angle implants and jawline implants. The information on bony overgrowth and tissue ingrowth has been helpful.

I recently got custom jaw angle implants in the Medpor material in late September. While I am still healing, I can tell that the implant on one side is displaced, and I wish to get it revised. Do you think a revision surgery 6-12 months after the original surgery will present problems with tissue ingrowth or bony overgrowth? Or will those features take longer to manifest? I will consult with the original surgeon soon about a revision surgery. If I feel that the surgeon’s plan for revision is insufficient, I may consult your clinic in the future about a removal.

Thank you very much for your time.

A:Given the nature of Medpor material with tissue ingrowth and a high probability of bony overgrowth, if an implant revision is needed it is better to do it sooner rather than later as it is going to be more difficult and less predictable. Later is 6 to 12 months after their initial placement.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon