Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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Is Rib Cartilage New for Rhinoplasty?

How safe is rib cartilage for Rhinoplasty compared to gortex or silastic? How sure are we about finding some cartilage from the rib?

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by qrytodr

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Rib cartilage use for rhinoplasty procedures

Rib cartilage is used for rhinoplasty procedures in the event that there is no internal nasal septal cartilage or ear cartilage available. At that point, once the nose and ear cartilage have been exhausted, other reconstructive consideration can be entertained such as Silastic implants. We do not prefer Gortex in the nose because of the amount of infections that we have seen in our practice. Rib cartilage can also be used, and there is plenty of that available. However, it does take a... more

Rib cartilage is safe in Rhinoplasty

The choice between rib vs. Gortex or Silastic has to do with using a natural material instead of a foreign (yet well tolerated substance). There are pros and cons for both. Rib is from your own body, and cartilage can almost always be found, that is based on standard human anatomy. There are some risks from obtaining the rib, but they are low. The main drawback is chest discomfort for a few weeks. I personally use rib for very specific circumstances, almost always in very complex revision... more

Understanding Rib Cartilage Grafts

In revision rhinoplasty, it is usually necessary to reconstruct and reshape the nasal framework using cartilage grafts. Because available septal cartilage has usually been removed during the first surgery, grafts must obtained from another site - either the ear or the rib. Rib cartilage has many uses and advantages in revision rhinoplasty. It can be carved or shaped to the desired configuration. Its rigidity can provide support to a weakend nasal framework. Drawbacks of Rib Cartilage... more

Rib cartilage and rhinoplasties

Rib cartilage is fantastic for use during rhinoplasties. In fact, it is associated with less risk of infection comparted to gortex and silicone. It is safe and reliable as the inner portion of all ribs transition from bone to cartialge when they reach the sternum. Good luck!

Rib cartilage for Rhinoplasty just one arrow in the quiver

Rib cartilge is natural and abundant. Most likely for more invasive problems that require a large amount of material. It also requires a piece of metal wire placed through it to insure a straight result. This type of cartilage has a tendency to warp.

Nose Jobs (rhinoplasty) and rib (costal) cartilage grafts or silastic (silicone) or gortex (PTFE)

This is an ancient technique and has been around for a long time. It is nothing new. The rib can come from you or a donor. Silastic is probably the most common synthetic implant and is more commonly utilized in the Pacific Rim. It can get infected or move or exposed and occasionally needs to be removed. IT can provide significant bulk. Gortex is used as a thin sheet and typcally is not used to enlarge but rather to smooth the nasal bridge.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rib Cartilage is Useful for Rhinoplasty

Each surgeon has their preferences regarding this topic. My preference is to use material that is natural in the body such as rib cartilage or ear or nasal septal cartilage. In cases in which the nose or ear has already been used or significant amount of cartilage is required, rib is an excellent choice. I use this under these circumstances and have been happy with the results.

Amir M. Karam, MD

62 reviews

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drkaram.com

Your own tissue is almost always better than synthetic material, especially in nose surgery

While probably the best material for grafting in the nose is the cartilage from the septum of your nose rib cartilage is also excellent if large pieces are needed or the septum is not available. Other choices that are better by far then Gortex or silastic are ear cartilage or bone from the outer table of the scull. I would not consider using Gortex or silastic. Many others feel differently but long after the surgery you can have trouble with these none autologous materials. more

Rib cartilage is safe for rhinoplasty

Rib cartilage is an excellent source of material when nasal augmentation or reconstruction is necessary. Other autologous (form your own body) sources of augmenation for rhinoplsty include: septum cartilage, ear cartilage, skull bone, or hip bone. Rib cartilage is plentiful and relatively easy to harvest, and therefore, commonly used in rhinoplasty when significant augmentation is necessary. Rib cartilage and other autologous sources have the advantage of reduced risk of infection or... more

Rib cartilage is not new

There are pros and cons to EVERY material that is used for rhinoplasty surgery. Risks from rib cartilage have to do with both the procurement of the cartilage/bone and the response of the tissue once is placed into the nose. Harvesting rib cartilage requires a scar on the chest, may cause several weeks of pain and can even puncture a lung. Once transferred to the nose, although usually a solid, long lasting material, the graft can change shape or even dissolve somewhat. Other materials,... more

Rib cartilage for rhinoplasty

Rib cartilage has been used for quite some time. A surgeon' s first choice is generally to use septal cartilage for grafts that the nose may require. Unfortunately, in complex cases, which are often revision cases, there is not a sufficient amount of cartilage left to perform the procedures you have set forth to do. Implants such as, silastic or gortex, are fine in less difficult cases or in trying to increase the height of the bridge of the nose in primary rhinoplasties. In revision... more

Rib Graft for Rhinoplasty

This is nothing new. Using your own tissue like rib cartilage has less risks than using prosthetic material. If you have not had any nose surgery in the past then you may be able to get away without such an implant. Good luck.

Good questions

Rib grafting is far from a new concept. It has been used for decades for reconstruction and even cosmetic rhinoplasty. The risks include pneumothorax (collapse of lung), and local problems. The cartilage will be there. The artificial implants carry risk of extrusion, and needing removal.

Rib cartilage for rhinoplasty

Rib cartilage is great for someone who needs a significant dorsal augmentation for rhinoplasty. I have used both autologous( your own) rib cartilage as well as cadaveric rib cartilage. Both work well.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Discuss this with your surgeon

There specific reasons to use rib cartilage and it is not offered to normal rhinoplasty patient. The risks from rib cartilage are two folds. The first is the risk of harvesting the rib cartilage including scar, pain ,chest depression and lung injury. The next risk is the rib cartilage changing it's shape later on and giving unpredictable result. Rib cartilage used in reconstructive cases more than straight cosmetic cases. Discuss the reason for the rib with your doctor.