Will I Have Any Chin Deformities After Medpor Chin Implant Removal With Replacement?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I wanted to inquire about the removal of my medium medpor chin implant that was placed submentally four years ago with one or two screws used for extra adherence. This request would be for removal only, and not replacement with another implant. It’s my understanding that due to the nature of the implant’s material, removal comes with a higher risk of disfigurement and other complications. I was interested in gaining more information regarding your experience with removing these types of implants, how often you’ve seen long-term issues as a result of removal. I know certain deformities can be mitigated with filler however, I am not interested in filler.

Another issue I’ve had, which is important for me to address, is that the incision site has intermittently presented with soreness/swelling internally just below the scar. I spoke with the surgeon who initially placed the implant and he seems to think that is a result of scar tissue– i’m unsure if that’s accurate. I would be curious if any old scar tissue could be removed during the implant’s removal procedure.

A: In answer to your Medpor chin implant removal questions:

1) I have successfully removed many Medpor facial implants of which chin and jaw implants would be the most common. In the vast majority of these cases there has been an immediate replacement implant. Removing an existing chin implant, particularly one in which is more traumatic to the tissues (Medpor), without a replacement for the lost volume is going to cause some soft tissue chin pad deformities. The question is not whether they will occur but how significant they will be. The soft tissues have been stretched out and they are not going to return to what they were before the implant was placed. I would bear that in mind when considering whether removal of the chin implant is worth it.
The existing submental chin scar can be excised and this along with other chin pad tissue will need to be removed (submental tuck) to try and mitigate an excessive chin pad roll from the stretched tissues.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana