Unsure between a rib implant or medpor skin implant for my ear.

September 5, 2021 8:43 AM

In reference to my previous question, I decided to forgo plastic surgery/an external magnetic connection for my replacement ear, and instead, decided on a skin medpor implant. However, my doctor warned me of potential infections, and said the rib implant would be the safest in terms of infection. However, there's some cons. More details inside the fold.

YANMD.

So, I was more set on a skin graft medpor implant for my ear (microtia), as it has some significant pros: fastest (3 months total), most realistic-looking, and more "solid"/harder.

The rib medpor implant I wasn't a fan of, as it came with some cons: a bit less realistic-looking, slower overall time (6 months total), pulls a rib from inside my body, and requires two stages of surgery.

However, my doctor advised me that there's more risk for infection/breakage of the plastic "frame" hidden inside the skin, for the skin medpor implant, which would mean I'd have to go back and have it fixed/redone, which could be significant cost and hassle. He did say the chances of infection were generally low, but it's more than if I did the rib medpor implant (for that rib procedure, less risk of infection).

So, I'm a bit stuck in my decision-making. I really want this process to be an one-time/done-with deal: no going back, no repairs, no risks. I know that's unrealistic, so to be more realistic, I want the process that is the least invasive/time-consuming, yet carries the least risk.

I'm a side sleeper, wear glasses, and wear masks as required, so my new ear will get a lot of "pressure/use" on it, and having the plastic break would be bad. However, I'm just feeling icky about the rib medpor implant.

So, thoughts? Does anyone here have experience with a skin medpor implant (for any condition) and insights to share about risks/infection?

Thanks!

posted by dubious_dude to Health & Fitness (1 answer total)

If it's helpful, here are the relevant UK care guidelines. My reading of them is that your two wants (least invasive and lowest risk) are indeed contradictory and you need to decide which of them is more important to you. The other thing it suggests is that a highly experienced surgeon is more important for the rib implant than the medpor.

The risk of infection in the rib implant appears to be below 1%. I can't find data on medpor specific to ears, but studies on other kinds of implants seem to be in the 3-4% range. The other challenge with infections is that medpor infections are apparently more difficult to heal. This article gives a comparison of the two methods.
posted by plonkee at 1:56 AM on September 7, 2021