Nasal tip abscess due to adverse skin reaction to Prolene: an unusual long term complication of rhinoplasty

Abstract

Use of non-absorbable sutures, such as Prolene, in the subcutaneous layer may be a potential, rare risk factor for adverse skin reactions.

Nasal Tip Abscess: A Rare Infection of the Head and Neck

“…Nasal tip abscesses are a rare pathology of the head and neck, and therefore epidemiological data and clinical features have not been extensively characterized. 3,6 In this case we present a nasal tip abscess secondary to furunculosis, which we found a few reports. Furunculosis is associated with the colonization of the sebaceous glands of the nasal tip, by bacteria like Propynebacterium acnes or Staphylococcus aureus present in the skin of the nose, 5,7 that can ultimately generate a nasal tip abscess.…”

“…Nasal tip abscess is defined as an infection confined to the lower third of the nose, which can be derived from different causes. The most common is after rhinoplasty, deriving from the sutures 3 , after nasal filler injections 4 , and rarely secondary to furunculosis. 5 We present a case of nasal tip abscess secondary to furunculosis, it's clinical presentation and management.…”

A Delayed Allergic Reaction to Polypropylene Suture Used in Flexor Tendon Repair: Case Report

“…Delayed allergic reaction to polypropylene within the skin presents as a chronic eczematous reaction or erythema with vesicles, and this has been documented in cases of retained polypropylene sutures 7 within the skin and in skin testing for polypropylene allegy. 4 Delayed hypersensitivity reactions secondary to other sutures have also been reported. Braided polyester is commonly used for flexor tendon repair.…”

Allergy to Prolene Sutures in a Dural Graft for Chiari Decompression

“…Symptoms rapidly resolved after this. Finally, the most recent case in the literature was described in 2013 where a patient developed a nasal tip abscess 2 years after rhinoplasty [ 6 ]. Cultures at the time of revision surgery were negative, and the patient's symptoms resolved with removal of the Prolene stitches.…”

“…Allergy to polypropylene, that is, Prolene, stitches is obviously rare. Since introduction of this material, there have been a total of five reported cases [ 2 – 6 ]. In two of these, skin-allergen testing confirmed specific Prolene allergy.…”