Augmentation Rhinoplasty With Silicone Implant Covered With Acellular Dermal Matrix

Background: Alloplastic materials are a mainstay in Asian rhinoplasty. However, the outline of alloplastic implants can become conspicuous over time in rhinoplasty patients, which is a significant cause for revision. In revision rhinoplasty, alloplastic materials can remain a viable and affordable option in Asian patients. The acellular dermal matrices (ADM) are often used to interface between the silicone material and the skin envelope. This study assesses histologic changes following implantation of ADM-covered silicone material in rats. Methods: To demonstrate differences at the histologic level, silicone blocks with and without ADM were implanted in the subcutaneous plane of 10 rats. These implants were harvested after 9 weeks and examined histologically for capsule thickness and myofibroblast activity. Result: In the in vivo study, the presence of ADM was associated with significantly decreased capsule thickness and myofibroblast activity around the implant and maintained the structure of ADM well. Conclusion: The authors suggest that using the ADMs to cover silicone implants can be an alternative method for decreasing the visibility of implant contour, by the prevention of capsular contracture and the addition of a soft tissue layer to the dorsal skin envelope.