Purpose: To determine the efficacy of porous polyethylene implants in primary and secondary rhinoplasty.
Methods: Retrospective chart review of two surgeon’s experience with porous polyethylene implants for primary and secondary open rhinoplasty in 18 patients.
Clinical experience: 18 patients underwent open primary or secondary rhinoplasty using porous polyethylene as a substitute for autogenous graft.
Operative technique: All patients received pre-operative intravenous antibiotics and a 5-day course of oral antibiotics postoperatively. An open rhinoplasty approach was used. Care was taken not to violate the nasal lining and not to create tension on the overlying nasal skin. The implants were contoured to reconstruct a variety of deformities including those of the nasal dorsum, radix, septum, tip and columella.
Results: With a mean follow-up of 3 yrs (range 18 months - 5 years 8 months), there have been no instances of infection, extrusion, or implant migration to date. Aesthetic outcomes have been satisfactory. No revisional surgery has been performed.
Conclusions: Porous polyethylene grafts during open rhinoplasty have been effective without morbidity.


This 21 yo underwent primary rhinoplasty with porous polyethylene septal strut and pyriform aperture augmentation.