Q: Can I-shape silicone implants extrude? I am considering Asian rhinoplasty with I-shape implant + cartilage for tip. In fact, is it possible for cartilage to extrude? Furthermore, do issues with L-shape such as contraction and depression also apply to I-shape, considering that it would not exert pressure on the tip like L-shape would?
A: While L-shape implants have a greater risk of extrusion through the skin in the tip of the nose, I-shape implants still carry a higher risk of extrusion through the skin in the bridge of the nose than autologous grafts (your own cartilage). Cartilage has an infinitely lower chance of extrusion than synthetic grafts (practically none under normal conditions), and a much lower risk of infection or migration.
Overall, autologous grafts are a much more permanent and safer option for reshaping the nose during Asian rhinoplasty.
