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Combine Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty for Less Scarring?

asked 2 years ago by Agnes_S in Chicago, IL
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,260 times
Tags: cartilage, scar

I am considering two procedures: a Rhinoplasty and an Otoplasty. I can't afford to have both procedures at the same time. I went for a consultation with a plastic surgeon for the Rhinoplasty and he said that he will probably need to harvest some cartilage from my ear to support my nose after performing an open Rhinoplasty.

Which procedure should I do first and does the order matter? Will I end up with less scars on my ears if I did the Otoplasty and Rhinoplasty at the same time, or will I have the same scars regardless if I had the operations six months apart due to cost reasons?

15 answers to Combine Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty for Less Scarring?

Same scarring regardless of separate or combined rhinoplasty with otoplasty

Rhinoplasty and otoplasty can certainly be done at the same time. Harvesting a small piece of ear cartilage for use in the nose does not constitute an otoplasty. Generally speaking, the same incisions are made for harvesting ear cartilage as is made for an otoplasty procedure. The same scars will be there regardless of one or two different operations.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

No difference in scarring

For the patient who requires cartilage grafts while undergoing a rhinoplasty, the most common choice is the septum which is the cartilage between the two sides of the nose. Other choices are the rib cartilage as well as ear cartilage. The ear cartilage is removed, through an incision behind the ear,which is also the incision used when performing an otoplasty. If you cannot have both procedures done at the same time, and if you're surgeon has to use your cartilage, he will use the same... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty or Otoplasty: which goes first?

I would agree with the vast majority of surgeon's here that you perform the rhinoplasty first if you need to stage the procedures. However, performing the two procedures separately may actually cost you more than performing both at the same time. There are many shared expenses which will save you money if you can have both perform at the same time.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty

Most rhinoplasty surgeons prefer to use the patient's own septal cartilage for grafts, which is borrowed from the central portion of the nasal septum. For revision rhinoplasty in which the septal cartilage has already been used, surgeons frequently will use ear cartilage or rib cartilage. If your rhinoplasty surgeon needs to use ear cartilage for your rhinoplasty, dont have an otoplasty performed first (unless it is performed at the same time) because an otoplasty will likely remove,... more

C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

Rhinoplasty before Otoplasty

It is unfortunate that you can not get both procedures done on the same day. If you have to choose one first, I would recommend that you get the rhinoplasty. The reason is that the surgeon may be able to harvest enough cartilage from your nose to perform the procedure. If additional cartilage is needed, the surgeon can harvest from your ear. The scars should not be a factor if the otoplasty is approached from behind your ear.

Kevin Ende, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty and rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty and an otoplasty can be performed at the same time. Yes, while harvesting cartilage grafts from the ear, the otoplasty can be performed.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Scars not an issue

I would recommend that you get the rhinoplasty first. The reason is that all the needed cartilege will be harvested. Next, the doctor can shape the ear without worrying about cutting ear sutures and distrubing the otoplasty. The scars will not be a factor in the decision. Finally, your doctor will also weigh in on the surgical order. One thing I did not consider is what is most important to you. Likely, this is what you will want to fix first. I would think you can hide the ears... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and otoplasty are a sensible combination

Ear cartilage is an option in secondary nasal surgery if the first procedure has removed all of the usable septum. The septum is the first choice because it is readily available in the nose and an additional site or 'scar' is unnecessary. It can be difficult to judge in revisionary rhinoplasty what is available, and what will be needed to provide shape and support and being prepared ahead for ear cartilage if necessary is a good idea. Concerning otoplasty, as a routine cartilage in not... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty should be first

You should do the rhinoplasty before the otoplasty. If the surgeon really needs cartilage from your ear for your rhinoplasty, then it would not make sense to do the otoplasty first. Otoplasty involves cutting and bending the cartilage in your ear which would make it useless for the rhinoplasty procedure. Good luck with your surgery.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

You should do the rhinoplasty firsst.

Usually we are able to get all the cartilage we need for the rhinoplasty from the septum, unless this has been done before. Therefore, do the nose first or and the ears later.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Combined Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty for less scarring

Hi Agnes, 1. Which procedure should I do first and does the order matter? - Rhinoplasty. If your surgeon thinks he needs an ear cartilage (vs. a nose septal cartilage) for a better outcome, there is no point in cutting and modifying the ear cartilage first, then potentially compromising it by going back into it for the rhinoplasty. Of course, if you CAN do both, that would be optimal. 2. Will I end up with less scars on my ears if I did the Otoplasty and Rhinoplasty at the same time, or will... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Rhinoplasty & Otoplasty

If both procedures are desired and indicated, I would recommend to perform the rhinoplasty first. If ear cartilage grafting is necessary for your rhinoplasty, it is preferable to perform the otoplasty afterwards.

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

Otoplasty and Rhinoplasty can be performed during one surgery.

Have you had previous nasal surgery? I'm not sure why your rhinoplasty surgeon is convinced you'll need an ear-cartilage graft unless you've had prior nasal surgery (Septoplasty?). Nasal-septal, cartilage grafts are the best, and can be harvested and used at the time of your rhinoplasty. If you truly require an ear-cartilage graft to reconstruct your nose, then it would be best to perform both surgeries on the same day. I hope this helps, and best regards.

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty

If the surgeon needs to take cartilage from your ear to support structures in your nose then doing the rhinoplasty 1st or at the same time as the otoplasty would make sense. I would not do the otoplasty first in that case. The scars would be no different and you would not have additional scars. Good luck.