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Details on Removing/Replacing Septum in Rhinoplasty?

asked 1 year ago by beckaD in 90210
Latest answer by Richard W. Fleming, MD
Question viewed 489 times
Tags: cartilage, septum

So if my surgeon removes my septum to harvest the cartilage for other areas on my nose, is the septum replaced with cartilage from other areas like the ribs or ear? also, is replacing the septum typically a good idea? i mean does the newly created septum do a good job as far as functionality and holding up and staying straight, etc?

11 answers to Details on Removing/Replacing Septum in Rhinoplasty?

Septal Cartilage for Grafting in Rhinoplasty

Only a portion of the septum is removed as a source of cartilage for grafting. Enough cartilage is left in place to maintain septal integrity and support the nasal pyramid. If more cartilage is needed, it is taken from the ears or ribs.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

If septal grafts are harvested properly during rhinoplasty, they will not need to be replaced.

You ask an excellent question. When we harvest septal cartilage for nasal grafting, we always leave behind a large piece (>1cm) at the bridge, and low down by the columella to maintain support of your nose. As long as this structural cartilage is maintained, the harvested cartilage does not need to be replaced. I hope this is helpful for you.

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Details on Removing/Replacing Septum in Rhinoplasty

In general, most surgeons experienced in rhinoplasty will only remove deviated portions of the septum. If you need grafting, which most patients require, additional septal cartilage will be harvested for this purpose. You cannot removal too much septal cartilage or the nose will collapse. If you require significant amounts of cartilage for grafting purposes, ear or rib cartilage may be harvested. Cartilage remnants can then be crushed and returned to the... more

Gregory Pippin, MD
New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.pippinmd.com

Details on Removing/Replacing Septum in Rhinoplasty?

This is a good question. As others have commented, usually only only cartilage that is deviated or needed for grafting is removed from the septum. The remaining cartilage along the bridge and between the nostrils must be strong enough to support the nose. I routinely replace any cartilage that is not used back between the septal lining tissue, usually after it has been lightly crushed. This helps provide support to the septum where cartilage was... more

Matthew Bridges, MD
Richmond Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.matthewbridgesmd.com

Rhinoplasty and Septal Cartilage

Nasal Septal cartilage is routinely harvested in order to fashion cartilage grafts for shaping or strengthening the nose. However, an L shaped septal strut with at least 1 cm in thickness is typically left in place and intact for purposes of nasal support. It is rare for the entire septum to be removed and replaced unless the patient has had severe trauma to the nose.

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

Nasal septal cartilage for #rhinoplasty surgery

Hi beckaD in 90210, Rhinoplasty is not one operation, but many potential operations. Every patient is unique. The nasal septum is the foundation of the nose, affecting not only nasal breathing but also appearance. Rhinoplasty surgeons typically only use a small portion of the septum to obtain enough cartilage graft material. Cartilage removed from the septum for grafting typically does not need to be replaced. Septal cartilage is also often removed during septoplasty, or deviated... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septum for grafts

When using the septum for cartilage grafts, a strut of the cartilage is left in palce to provide nasal support. The entire septum is not usually harvested.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Maintaining the septal support is essential

Nasal septum is the key stone structure of the nose and excessive removal will result in collapse or distortion of the nose. As long as the surgeon maintains a good L-shaped strut of septal cartilage to provide support anteriorly and caudally( inferiorly)during cartilage harvesting from the septum no harm will occur. An experienced surgeon will know how much to take and leave behind.

Zain Kadri, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

There are many different techniques for an SMR

An experienced doctor in doing septum's has his own technique. The septum is usually not removed and replaced. It is shaped so it is straight. Sometimes cartilage is removed and sometimes it is just trimmed and straighted - depends on the docs techniques -- ask him.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

The septum will not miss cartilage taken for grafting

The septum is an excellent choice for cartilage grafting in rhinoplasty because the area borrowed from in invisible, and the cartilage is of the best quality for support or visible grafts. Of course there is a limit as to what the septum can supply. A good measure of the septum must be left for support of the bridge and the lower end of the nose, and with good planning the portion borrowed will no be missed. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Septum shouldn't be missed

Hi becka, Typically, most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons will only remove as much septal cartilage as they need for grafting. This cartilage is removed from further back in the septum where it will not be missed. We are sure to leave a strong area of cartilage at the front and top of your septum to maintain support and shape. If there is some cartilage left over after grafting, some surgeons may return it to the septum and others do not as they do not want it to potentially move and... more