Augmentation mentoplasty with diced high-density porous polyethylene.

[BACKGROUND] Augmentation mentoplasty is a common procedure, applied especially in conjunction with rhinoplasty. Although various materials have been used for this procedure, diced high-density porous polyethylene (Medpor) has not been used so far. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of diced high-density porous polyethylene in chin augmentation.

[METHODS] A subperiosteal pocket is prepared through submental incision. A high-density porous polyethylene block is diced into 1 x 1.5-mm pieces, to be placed into the subperiosteal pocket as much as needed by wrapping into oxidized cellulose (Surgicel). Immediately after the incision is closed, shaping with external massage is performed and an external bandage is applied.

[RESULTS] This procedure was performed in 20 patients, in addition to rhinoplasty, with a mean follow-up of 14 months (range, 8 to 20 months). Five to 14 mm of augmentation was achieved. There were no complications, except for early seroma formation in three patients, which required aspiration by syringe. It is easy to give shape to diced high-density porous polyethylene by means of massage 3 weeks after surgery.

[CONCLUSIONS] Diced high-density porous polyethylene in augmentation mentoplasty is cheap, easy to insert, and moldable by external massage, and has flexibility in conforming to the shape of the mandible. It also avoids all the disadvantages of monobloc implants, allowing postoperative ingrowth of fibrous tissues, precluding late displacement, and giving a natural feel to the reconstructed area.