Augmentation mentoplasty using polyamide mesh

Abstract

Augmentation mentoplasty, a cosmetic surgical procedure to reshape the contour of the mental area, usually is accomplished with the insertion of autogenous graft or alloplastic implant material. Obtaining autogenous graft material has been the major disadvantage of requiring an additional surgical procedure. Alloplastic implant material is widely preferred because of its ready availability, ease of sterilization, capability of being cut, carved, and shaped as desired, and the relatively few postoperative complications that ensue from its use. The possible complications are infection, rejection by the host, displacement (even many years later), and underlying mandibular bone resorption. The author's four-year experience using polyamide mesh placed supra-periosteally in 100 patients is reported and the technique is described. Results have been consistently good; no implant has had to be removed or replaced. Other advantages are ease of inserting the polyamide mesh, thus facilitating the surgical procedure, minimal postoperative morbidity or reaction, flexibility in conforming exactly to the shape of the mandible, ingrowth of fibrous tissue thus avoiding late displacement, and providing a natural feel to the reconstructed area. There has been no roentgeno-graphically demonstrable evidence that suggests bone resorption.