Ear cartilage can be used for rhinoplasty

Dear Frank,

Ear cartilage is not typically used if you have never had rhinoplasty. It doesn't have the same support as septal cartilage and has a greater chance of warping. It will also leave an unnecessary scar on your ear.

I do use ear cartilage grafts in revision rhinoplasty when there is insufficient septal cartilage or if I am reconstructing missing convexly-shaped portions of the tip that have been over resected.

Ask your plastic surgeon for his rationale. 

Good luck!

There are a number of choices for cartilage grafts for the nose. My preference is septal cartilage. It tends to be stronger and straighter than ear cartilage. They are actually different kinds of cartilage. Not only is ear cartilage weaker, but just look at your ear, the cartilage is already inherently curved, so getting a straight piece is much harder.
I cannot judge the surgeon you chose, but someone should be comfortable with all aspects of nasal surgery to do the best rhinoplasties.

All good questions. Warping is when the cartilage actually bends after it is placed in a given pocket.  This can happen with any cartilage graft. Although some surgeons prefer to sue ear cartilage for small grafts, I prefer septal cartilage.  It is stronger.

Hi Frank,

"Warping of cartilage" means that the cartilage can twist out of shape over time. If ear or rib cartilage is not used correctly, there is a higher chance of warping.

In primary rhinoplasty, the choice of cartilage graft is septal cartilage. Septal cartilage is especially good for tip refinement. Ear cartilage is usually reserved for revision rhinplasty.

Harvesting septal cartilage may not be familiar territory for all surgeon, therefore the choice of ear cartilage.

Best of Luck,

Dr. S.

Ear cartilage can be used for rhinoplasty surgery.  It tends to be more flexible and therefore give less support than septal cartilage.  For that reason, septum is my personal preference for refining the tip.  "Warp" refers to the tendency of some cartilages, including ear cartilage, to bend with time and lose their shape.  It's hard to predict the actual chance that this might happen given individual variation.  Septal cartilage does not have this tendency.  You may want to ask your surgeon if there is some reason for not using septum in your case.  Good luck, /nsn.