Dr. Dean Toriumi, Renowned Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon Asks Patients to be Cautious in Using any Injectable Filler in the Nose. The Results can be Devastating!

    MARINA DEL REY, CA, February 26, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you are considering using injectable fillers in your nose to improve nasal shape or correct any deformities, Dr. Dean Toriumi suggests you reconsider this new trend.

Dr. Dean Toriumi recommends you consult a physician who is an expert in nasal anatomy and aesthetics. These injectable procedures are often done by plastic surgeons, dermatologists and aestheticians and are designed to change the shape of noses through minimal downtime and reduce costs.

"There are many potential downsides to this treatment and complications are common," says Dr. Dean Toriumi.

Dr. Dean Toriumi says, "Many new filler materials are available, but there are potential dangers and issues that make these fillers more complicated than people would have you think." Dr. Toriumi continues, "There are hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane. Other fillers are semi-permanent such as Radiesse, which is composed of calcium hydrosyapatite. Permanent fillers include silicone and Artecoll or Artefill. Of these materials, probably the latter are the safest," says Dr. Toriumi.

Regardless of the filler used, many problems with injectable fillers have come to light. "Injectable fillers must be used in the hands of someone with a good understand of the anatomy of the nose and the aesthetics of the nose. This is vital, as the person doing injections can cause abnormal shapes that can deform the nose."

One of the more common uses for injectable fillers is to raise the nasal bridge to create a narrower appearance of the bridge, a practice popular in Asia. In order to create a well defined nasal bridge, a solid material should be placed on the nasal dorsum. A solid material will create a contour similar to a natural bone and cartilage. A filler typically creates an amorphous shape that does not have definition.

"In the case of using injectable fillers, the bridge will appear higher but also look wider and lack the good lines of a well-defined nose," says Dr. Dean Toriumi. "A nose with filler injections can lack definition and look unnatural and wide," he continues. "Additionally, the dorsum will feel soft and unnatural and in some cases, the material migrates to create strange deformities."

Dr. Dean Toriumi is a facial plastic surgeon in Chicago, Illinois who specializes in secondary corrective rhinoplasty. Most of his patients come to him to correct an unsuccessful rhinoplasty surgery. Dr. Toriumi sees patients often who come in with devastating complications from injectable fillers. Many of these have permanent damage and cannot be completely corrected. The image above, Patient #1, shows a bad tissue reaction from an injectable filler. The next image titled "Patient #2" shows a nose with a costal cartilage graft that creates a nice, narrow aesthetic line giving great definition to the nasal dorsum.

Dr. Toriumi sees problems with all filler materials. Many patients have undergone previous rhinoplasty then tried, unsuccessfully, to correct the imperfections with fillers.

"This can be especially devastating when the filler material inadvertently gets injected into a blood vessel that can block blood supply to the skin of the nose, resulting in permanent skin damage or even necrosis, (the death of skin tissue.) Other patients have experienced infection after the injection that can create permanent damage. Patients who have had previous rhinoplasty are at a greater risk as the blood supply to their nose could be compromised or less able to withstand the trauma."

Dr. Dean Toriumi has discovered other cases where the filler material is replaced with scar tissue that created irregularities of the skin on the nose. Dr. Toriumi sees scarring in patients who have used hyaluronic acid as a filler. "Once the skin over the nose becomes bumpy or irregular," says Dr. Dean Toriumi, "additional surgical correction becomes exponentially more complex. Patients are frequently left with risidual deformity despite the placement of smooth cartilage grafts. Permanent irregularities often exist."

"Secondary rhinoplasty is difficult enough," he goes on to say, "without adding another level of complexity due to these injectable fillers. In my pre-operative questionnaire, it is essential that you list any injectables you have tried as there is an increased potential for complications such as infection or changes in the skin."

Dr. Dean Toriumi's adive to patients is that if they are not planning on rhinoplasty but want to try these new fillers, consult with a physician who is knowledgable of the nasal anatomy and aesthetics. Dr. Toriumi also recommends you consider one of the hyaluronic acid fillers, as they are temporary and can often be removed with an injection of hyaluronidase if you are not happy.

In closing, Dr. Toriumi recommends, "The use of hyaluronic acid fillers for small nasal irregularities may be safe but should be injected by an experienced user. Great care must be taken to avoid injecting into a blood vessel." Dr. Dean Toriumi says, "Patients who have undergone multiple rhinoplasties are urged not to use them at all. The additional insult to their skin could result in permanent damage or deformity."

Dr. Dean Toriumi is a renowned plastic surgery in Chicago. Dr. Toriiumi is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Chicago, teaching facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to the residents and fellows. He has been recognized as an expert in aesthetic and functional rhinoplasty and specializes in secondary corrective rhinoplasty.

For more information please see http://www.deantoriumi.com/

Dean M. Toriumi, MD
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
900 N. Michigan Ave.
60 East Delaware Street, Suite 1460
Chicago, IL 60611

312-255-8812

Email: [email protected]

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