Chin augmentation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chin augmentation using surgical implants can alter the underlying structure of the face, providing better balance to the facial features. This operation is often performed at the time of rhinoplasty to help balance the facial proportions.

Chin implants are made in various shapes and sizes. They are made out of both solid and semi-solid materials.

Most often, an incision is made inside the lower lip, or under the chin. An implant of the desired size and shape is then placed inside the chin. If the incision is inside the mouth, it is closed with sutures (stitches) that later dissolve. If the incision is under the chin, removable sutures are used. At the end of the surgery, the chin is often taped to minimize swelling. The procedure generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

Some swelling and perhaps bruising can occur, but this will be helped by an application of tape or other material. This tape is removed about a week after the surgery is performed. Pain and discomfort last for several days following the procedure, but this can be eased by an oral analgesic. Some facial movements, such as talking and smiling, may be difficult for several days following the surgery.

History

Among the many unusual implants used in chin augmentation are paraffin, ivory, bone from cadavers and patients, Gore-tex and coral. One plastic surgeon in 1938 developed a way to remove cartilage found in nasal humps and bumps during rhinoplasty operations and attach the cartilage to the patient’s chin to build a better profile.^[1] Patients’ own bone is donated from ribs and from part of the pelvis (the ilium.) Unfortunately, use of donated bone implants in chin augmentation, even the patient’s own, appears to be associated with a higher rate of infection, even after the implant has been in place for decades.

Current Usage

Chin augmentation is still popular because it’s a relatively easy operation for both surgeon and patient while producing dramatic and noticeable changes in the silhouette of the face.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

The usual complications are relatively minor and include swelling, hematoma (blood pooling) and numbness of the lower lip which usually does not last long. Other, less common risks include infection, bony changes and displacement of the implant.^[2]

Chemical Compositions

Gore-tex used in plastic surgeon and other operations is known by an abbreviation of its chemical name,ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) or Gore S.A.M. (subcutaneous augmentation material.)^[3]

ePTFe is used in medicine because it is biocompatible and does not cause problems inside the human body. Because ePFTE is flexible and soft but very strong, it is inserted during operations in trimmed sheets and carved blocks and held to the bone by titanium screws. But because the material is porous, the force that really holds the implant in place is soft tissue and bone growing through and into the implant.

Another chin augmentation implant material is commercially known as AlloDerm and known to physicians as acellular human cadavertic derms. AlloDerm comes from tissue donors; just after death, technicians remove a thin layer of skin and use antibiotics and other substances to remove the cells and donor DNA that may cause rejection. The graft that emerges is often used to cover chin implants. Other typical types of chin implants include silicone implants in varying degrees of softness; silicone elastomers (any of various polymers having the elastic properties of natural rubber) and porous polyethylene implants. Other common implant materials include Supramid, a braided nonabsorbale synthetic suture material in polymer shell and Mersiline, a mesh-like material that provides a scaffold on the bone.^[4]

[edit] References

^ Aufricht, G: combined plastic surgery of the nose and chin; resume of twenty seven years’ experiences. Am J Surg 1958 Feb;95(2): 231-6
^ Costantino PD. FriedmanCD: Soft-tissue augmentation and replacement in the head and neck. General considerations, Ontolaryngol Clin North Am 1994 Feb;27(1): 1-12
^ Gore Medical Products Maas CS, Merwin GE, Wilson J, et al: Comparison of biomaterials for facial augmentation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1990 May; 116(5): 551-6.
^ Guyuron B, Raszewski RL: A critical comparison of osteoplasic and alloplastic augmentation genioplasty. Aesthhetic Plast Surg 1990 Summer, 14(3): 199-206

External Links

Before-and-after chin implant pictures:[[1]]

Combining Chin-Jowl Implants with Local Anesthesia Facial Rejuvenation [[2]]

Facial Plastic Surgery Network Discussion Forum [[3]]

AlloDerm:[[4]]

Supramid:[[5]]