Is Ear Cartilage Too Weak to Make Lateral Crural Extension Grafts?

Lateral crural extension grafts can be used from conchal cartilage. The only down side is they will be stiffer and more firm than nasal cartilage. Make sure that your surgeon has performed thousands of rhinoplasty surgeries and has many years of experience performing these types of grafts.

Hello, Ear cartilage may work but may weaken over time. Rib is the best cartilage to use for this procedure. Hope this helps answer your question. Dr. Nassif

These should work just fine. The strength is good enough to avoid collapse of the nasal alae on inspiring.  I have found the cartilage from Triangular fossa (part of the ear) works well to create a relatively flat graft that fits in well. Regards

Ear Cartilage is perfectly acceptable for structural grafting in rhinoplasty. However, it is a clear second choice to septal cartilage; in my hands it is used in circumstances where septal cartilage is unavailable because it fractures more easily and is naturally curved in shape. Although rib cartilage is preferrable for structural reasons, the donor site morbidity and risks involved with harvesting it make it a third choice.

I would agree with the other surgeons that a second opinion may be in order with an experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon. While ear cartilage can be used for lateral crural strut grafts, the more important question is - is this the right procedure.

Technically speaking, you are raising 2 different points: Valve collapse and nasal alar collapse. Collapse or rather pinching of the nasal valve is caused by undue narrowing of the middle of the nose. This condition is USUALLY treated with SPREADER GRAFTS placed along the top of the septum to increased the horizontal space for breathing and recreate the valve. Over resection of the lower lateral cartilages (the staves creating the tip AND keeping the nares opened) or destroying their... more

Most surgeons prefer septal cartilage for tip reconstruction when it is available. However, ear cartilage is a wonderful material for supporting the lateral crura with grafts. It is flexible but has some firmness and has a natural curvature similar to the normal lateral tip cartilage. The answer to your specific question of whether it will be adequate really depends on your anatomy and the extent of your valve collapse. In cases where there is significant loss of support in the setting... more

This is not an easy question to answer without examining your ear and nose. The fact is, some ears have firm stiff cartilage that would work especially in a nose with weak thin lower lateral cartilage. On the other hand, if you have weak ear cartilage and firm thick nasal cartilage then this would not work as well. Generally, the best material for a lateral cural grafts are septum and rib cartilage. I have used ear in a number of cases with very good success. The best thing you can... more

This is a very technical question. You using a very precise term. A lateral crural extension graft usually refers to a non-anatomic graft placed from the pyriform aperture to the lateral crura. Many physicians use septal cartilage. A double stacked ear cartilage may be an option, some surgeons use rib. To best know what to use in your case you need to consult an expert rhinoplasty surgeon. Best of luck.