Revision Rhinoplasty Q&A
69%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
136 Reviews
Revision Rhinoplastybefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Revision Rhinoplasty Cost: $6,450

Learn about Revision Rhinoplasty

878 people and 334 doctors are talking about Revision Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Why Might a Doctor Not Want to Use Ear or Rib Cartilage?

asked 1 year ago by Sharpie
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 455 times
Tags: ears, cartilage, ribs, technique

I am going for a revision rhinoplasty and my doctor is telling me the best he can do if I have enough cartilage in my nose. He is against ear or rib cartilage as he states the nose will be unnatural and stiff. He is able to create a better nose if he were to use ear or rib cartilage if he really had to right? What is the difference between a revision done with cartilage from the nose verses cartilage from ear or rib?

12 answers to Why Might a Doctor Not Want to Use Ear or Rib Cartilage?

+1

Choice of graft

Without seeing your photos it is difficult to comment. Although most surgeons like using septal cartilage as a graft there are many situations where septal cartilage is actually not the best option. An experienced revision surgeon should keep all options open.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

+1

Cartilage Grafting in Revision Rhinoplasty

The preferred source for cartilage in revision rhinoplasty is highly dependent on the correction needed.  Septal, auricular and rib are all the first choice for different reconstructive problems.  For simple revisions, septal cartilage is best.  I also prefer it for applications where I want a straight piece of cartilage.  For areas where I want a curved graft, such as the nasal tip, I prefer ear cartilage.  If a large volume graft is necessary, rib is preferred.... more
Joseph Campanelli, MD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cartilage donor sites for grafts with revision rhinoplasty (nose job)

Replacing" like with like" is a generally desireable goal in plastic surgery. This means it is best to use local tissues that are most similar to the area being reconstructed. The cartilage of the nose is unique in its thickness and pliability. The ear and the rib are significantly thicker and less pliable than the native nose cartilage making them more difficult to shape or mold. Furthermore, it requires a distant and separate donor site each associated with its own... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cartilage grafts for revision rhinoplasty

If your surgeon is truly "against ear or rib cartilage" then I suspect it's because he isn't experienced in using them. That's a very worrisome sign. No one who does a lot of rhinoplasty is categorically against using a patient's own tissue. While septal cartilage is best, ear and rib also have important uses in the nose. All the best, --DCP
David C. Pearson, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cartilage Used in Revision Rhinoplasty

Septal Cartilage is my first choice in rhinoplasty surgery, followed by cartilage from the ear and ribs. Rib cartilage is my last choice because  it is more difficult to harvest. Make sure your surgeon does a lot of revision rhinoplasties.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Secondary rhinoplasty

Consult another BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON Ear and Rib cartilage grafts are used extensively with good results
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nose reconstruction

Revisoin rhinoplasty often incorporates cartilage grafts if possible. These can often be found in the septum but sometimes require ear or rib cartilage. Sometimes surgeons use other products to avoid the complications associated with harvesting the cartilage.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cartilage for Revision Rhinoplasty

Hi, Cartilage grafts are often used in revision rhinoplasty. If available, the best cartilage to use is septal cartilage followed by ear and rib cartilage. Ear cartilage is softer and more malleable than septal cartilage but is a good second option. Rib cartilage is the hardest and can be used as well but needs more carving and if not shaped properly it can show through the skin and feel hard. Best, Dr. S.
Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cartilage options for revision rhinoplasty

The septum is the first choice for use in rhinoplasty for several reasons, however in revision rhinoplasty the septum may be unavailable or insufficient.  Revision rhinoplasty is often a more difficult procedure - the surgeon should have the skills necessary to do the best job.  Sometimes that requires use of ear or rib cartilage.
Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best Cartilage Graft Sources for Nose Surgery

Regarding: "Why Might a Doctor Not Want to Use Ear or Rib Cartilage? I am going for a revision rhinoplasty and my doctor is telling me the best he can do if I have enough cartilage in my nose. He is against ear or rib cartilage as he states the nose will be unnatural and stiff. He is able to create a better nose if he were to use ear or rib cartilage if he really had to right? What is the difference between a revision done with cartilage from the nose verses cartilage from ear or... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nasal septal cartilage is best for reconstructive revision rhinoplasty surgery.

Nasal septal cartilage is relatively straight and strong, and it's location is favorable when considering rhinoplasty surgery. When your septal cartilage is deficient, other sources are available. Ear cartilage is soft and curved: it may be used for a tip graft, but may not be suitable for structural support. Rib cartilage is plentiful, and surgeons that use it regularly tend to advocate it. Rib cartilage has been associated with warping, and its best application is to... more
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Using ear or rib cartilage for revision nose job

The septum (wall between the two sides of the nose) is a great source of cartilage for rhinoplasty (nose job).  It is typically strong, durable, and fairly straight.  However, in revision rhinoplasty, this septal cartilage may have already been used or surgically manipulated making it scarce, weak, or thin.  Therefore, other cartilage may need to be used to reconstruct and reshape the nose in a revision.  Ear cartilage is plentiful and does not cause a cosmetic... more
Etai Funk, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question