Jay Calvert, MD

Rib cartialge is the most plentiful and versatile supply of cartilage with respect to revision rhinoplasty. However, it does require a separate incision on the chest. You may have an unsightly scar (low risk) or even have pain long after surgery(low risk). However, the more dangerous issue with rib cartilage harvest is when the surgeon enters the chest which results in a pneumothorax. This is easily treated if it is recognized (and for the most part is). The incidence of pneumothorax is very low and this type of pneumothrozx is different from say an injury during an automobiel accident in that the lung is not injured. So treatment is easy and the surgeon can build you a new nose from the rib.