Is It a Good Idea to Use Banked Rib Cartilage?

asked 10 months ago by NYHOPE in New York, NY
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 220 times
Tags: cartilage, rib graft

I will be having a revision rhinoplasty done and my doctor wants to use banked rib cartilage. Is this a good idea? He states that using my own is very risky due to other complication that might arise. What are the positives and negatives using banked rib cartilage?

5 answers to Is It a Good Idea to Use Banked Rib Cartilage?

Is it a good ide to use banked rib cartilage for Rhinoplasty

I have performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years and IMHO, NO...banked cartilage, bone from rib, ear or wherever dissolves unevenly over 5-15 years and should never be usde in Rhinoplasty...again, IMHO. Your own cartilage and bone will also dissolve unevenly but at a slower rate. Do a google search on uneven absorption of irradiated (banked) and rib cartilage in Rhinoplasty as this subject has been well reserched in the plastic and cosmetic surgery literature and has been for... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

Irradiated cartilage

Irradiated cartilage is a form of banked cartilage that is often used for rhinoplasty especially in secondary or tertiary ones when the patietn does not have enough septal cartilage or does not want to have her own rib cartilage used. It is usually very safe. I have writen a paper on this subject in the plastic surgery literature and I am in the process of writing a book chapter on it as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Use of Banked Cartilage for Rhinoplasty

The use banked cartilage is safe and long-term studies have shown it to be effective and durable. It does resorb and can warp, so it requires a great deal of experience to get good results. Rib cartilage is a viable option, however, it entails additional OR time and a second incision. The main risk is injury to the lung but in experienced hands, this should be unlikely. The third option is an allograft such as Medpor. Depending on the reconstruction, it can be... more

Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Using "Banked" Irradiated Rib Cartilage

This is a very common question regarding revisionary rhinoplasty and the need for additional cartilage. Banked cartilage is from a cadaver (via organ donation) which is then treated with radiation to help remove any "cells" leaving only cartilage behind. This is a easy source of cartilage (it comes off the shelf), but there are high rates of resorption with this approach. You body will recognize some of the microscopic components of this as "foreign" and slowly... more

Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Banked cartilage

The question of banked cartilage has always been it's longevity. Several recent studies of long term results (see Dr. Kridel) have shown excellent longevity. It seems that as long as it is not being used for total structural support but augmentation that it lasts well. Using your own isn't that much more risky, but it does add more operative time and discomfort which for some patients is significant.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

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