Spontaneous Fracture of a Silicone Implant: A Delayed Complication of Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Silicone implants are commonly used alloplastic materials for rhinoplasty in Asia, as they are easy to manipulate, provide adequate volume augmentation, and exhibit excellent biocompatibility. However, they are associated with complications such as infection, displacement, and extrusion. Recently, we encountered an interesting complication in a 53-year-old woman presenting with palpable and visible stepping of the nasal dorsum. The patient had previously undergone rhinoplasty with an L-shaped silicone implant, and symptoms had been noticeable for approximately 1 year. Lateral nasal computed tomography revealed a fractured silicone implant. Because the patient reported no history of nasal trauma since rhinoplasty, we assumed that the silicone implant might have fractured spontaneously. The findings in this case suggest that spontaneous implant fracture can be a late complication of rhinoplasty with silicone implant.