Advantages of Rib Cartilage over Prosthesis?

asked 7 months ago by anon
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 257 times
Tags: nose, advantage, cartilage, pros and cons, prosthesis, reshape, rib graft

What would be some of the advantages of using rib cartilage as opposed to a prosthesis when undergoing revision rhinoplasty to reshape the bridge of my nose?

11 answers to Advantages of Rib Cartilage over Prosthesis?

Few advantages of rib cartilage over prosthesis

The only advantage rib cartilage has over a prosthetic implant in the nose is that the rib is the patient’s own natural tissue. However, nasal cartilage should be harvested before attempting a removal of rib. Ear cartilage would be the second choice prior to going to rib. If the nose and ears are cartilage depleted, then rib graft can be considered. Disadvantages of using a rib graft are warpage, and an unnatural hard wood-like feel to the nose. It is also... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Rhinoplasty with implant or cartilage

This depends on the surgeons preferance and experience. the prosthesis can actually be carved and shaped to customize it for your nose. not all doctors do this. cartilage can warp and the surgeon must be comfortable harvesting the rib. it is useful for large and complex reconstructions and more resistant to infection

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Rib Cartilage vs Prosthesis in Revision Rhinoplasty

Over the past 35 years I've always preferred to use the patient's own tissue in revision rhinoplasty. Synthetic prostheses are more likely to move, extrude, or become infected, especially when placed in scarred tissue with less than ideal circulation.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

You have several options for improving the appearance of your nasal bridge after previous Rhinoplasty Surgery.

If you had a previous rhinoplasty and want your nasal bridge "reshaped", you may be a candidate for a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty procedure with Injectable Fillers. These may be used to raise the height of your bridge, or to fill indentations that may have occurred. My personal preference is to use Silikon-1000, an off-label filler for permanent results. Rib cartilage is advocated by many reputable rhinoplasty specialists, but I do not use this when performing Rhinoplasty Surgery.... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rib cartilage for nose

Autologous tissue( your own tissue) ia lways better than synthetic. Less risk of infection and extrusion.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rib Cartilage vs Artificial implant

Hi, The choice of implant is determined by what needs to be done, even in revision surgery. Whether a rib cartilage graft, gortex, silicone, septal or auricular cartilage is used depends on what needs to be done.Each patient has his/her own set of circumstances and needs custom planning as far a implant material. Rib grafts have disadvantages as well. It also depends on what your surgeon is comfortable using. So try not to get hung up about implant material as much as finding the right... more

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Revision rhinoplasty rib vs synthetic implants.

Synthetics can get infected and extrude. In 35 years of revision rhinoplasty I have never used synthetics or rib. Taking a rib is painful. I have always used septal, or ear cartilage or soft tissue which has minimal pain and gives me the tissue I need.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rib cartilage over implant for nasal revisions

I try never to use foreign materials for nasal revisions. Your own tissue will get blood supply and be resistant to infections and be solid in position. implants can get infected later on, move etc. I know some doctors like implants in that area, but I disagree.

Rick Rosen, MD
Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Using Rib Cartilage Versus Prosthetic Materials in Rhinoplasty

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. With the prosthetic implant, advantages would include preformed shapes that are considered "ideal" in proportions and are very accurate, ease of obtaining (no donor surgery site), and multiple choices. The primary advantage to using your own tissue (such as rib) is that it is living. Compared to artificial materials, this means a much lower rate of infection and a much lower rate of extrusion (pushing out through... more

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

Pros and cons

The Pro's of (your own) rib cartilage: 1. natural tissue. 2. Can shape and use multiple areas of the nose The con's:1 A seperate surgery , with risks, is needed to harvest the rib. 2. Ribs can warp, resorb, get infected and sometimes move. The pro's of an implant (a prosthesis is worn OUTSIDE the nose!): 1. can shape as needed. 2. wont resorb. 3. good for dorsum. The con's: 1. cost. 2. small lifetime risk of infection... more

J. Charles Finn, MD
Raleigh-Durham Facial Plastic Surgeon

Advantages of Rib Cartilage over Prosthesis?

Whenever we use your own tissues as grafts in nose surgery, they are fed by the local blood supply and begin living in their new location. Unlike foreign body implants, cartilage is a living tissue which is much more resistant to infection, less apt to be pushed out and extrude through the skin and as a result provide much longer support to the nose.