Ear Cartilage Graft for Rhinoplasty

Ear cartilage grafts are only used if the nasoseptal cartilage has been depleted. The conchal bowl is the area that is harvested through a postauricular incision behind the ear to take out a small piece of cartilage.

Ear cartilage is ususally harvested from the conchal "bowl' the central depressed part of the ear. Scarring is usually well concealed but you will feel and see a depression in the area from which the cartilage is taken. Most commonly the cartilage is used to shape a refined nasal tip and to support and elevate the naslal tip. Results are usually excellent. In fact cartliage grafting through an open rhinoplasty technique has dramatically improved our abilty to achieve a refined nasal... more

It is usually taken from the central depression in the ear called the concha. However, it can be taken from any place except the borders (helix). This maintains the shape of the ear. Typically after the cartilage removal you have a pressure type dressing in the ear concha which is removed in about 5 days. The pain is mild to moderate but never severe. If it is severe, you could be developing a hematoma (collection of blood) and should call your surgeon or go to the ER. After the dressing is... more

Ear cartilage is just one choice of cartilage graft for rhinoplasty.  It is usually taken from the concha or conchal bowl.  It is usually  used as an onlay or a tip graft.

My first choice of ear cartilage graft is taken from the cymba, a part of the ear above the main bowl located between two prominent ridges. If there is need for additional grafting material, the cavum cartilage can be taken. This is the bowl which opens into the ear canal. Usually, the ears do not change significantly. Sometimes, the ear moves a touch closer to the head.

Long-term results of rhinoplasty require that the nose be structurally supported with cartilage grafts. Usually the ideal type of cartilage for grafting is from the septum. When the septum has been removed during a previous surgery or if their is not sufficient amounts of septal cartilage, rhinoplasty surgeons must obtain the cartilage for grafts from an alternative source -- either the ear or rib. Ear cartilage is suitable for many applications in rhinoplasty. It is obtained by the... more

Cartilage is taken from the part of the ear known as the conchal bowl (the concha cavum and concha cymba). The conchal bowl is basically where a hearing aid or ear buds from an MP3 player sit. By using cartilage from this area, there is usually no appreciable change to the overall shape or support of the ear: i.e., it looks the same afterward. Incisions for this can be made either at the front or the back surface of the ear. The ear is typically pretty tender after this procedure for a... more

Often the cartilage from your septum (in your nose) can be used for grafts during rhinoplasty. Occasionally, more cartilage is necessary (especially during secondary rhinoplasty). In this case a small incision (2 cm) is make in the crease behind your ear. A strip of cartilage is harvested and the incision closed. There is no functional or cosmetic change to the ear. Good luck with your surgery.