Ann Plast Surg. 2003 Sep;51(3):249-56.

Augmentation rhinoplasty of the Asian nose with the "bird" silicone implant.

Lam SM, Kim YK.
Lam Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Augmentation rhinoplasty of the Asian nose has a long legacy of safety in the Orient. The silicone implant design that is proposed resembles a bird in configuration and represents an intermediary form between the traditional I- and L-shaped implants. A pronounced lobular component often poses problems in the nasal tip: This implant exhibits a more diminutive proximal tip segment. Therefore, augmentation of the nasal dorsum and tip can be accomplished safely and successfully with the technique described for carving and inserting the implant. If complications should arise (e.g., infection, extrusion, mobility, or displacement), the implant can be removed simply and quickly because of the capsular formation around the implant. Infection occurred in only 3% of patients in this series and was managed easily with implant removal, oral antibiotics, and reinsertion. Displacement can be addressed with implant removal and reinsertion, and was also observed in 3% of patients. Mobility and extrusion have not been encountered. This technique has proved to be a safe, simple, reliable, and reversible technique in 1,079 rhinoplasties performed during a 10-year period.
PMID: 12966235 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]