There's a chance I'll need rib grafting (my own) for revision & I keep reading conflicting information. I'm wondering the general opinions of surgeons on here. My concerns are 1. Absorption 2. Warping 3. Other known issues such as infection, etc. I need a small piece for a mid-vault indentation on my bridge. If it's cut w/precision, what's the chance of trouble down the road? Is there less occurrence of these issues with ear grafts? Many rib patients warn me to avoid at all costs.
August 31, 2013
Answer: Use of rib cartilage for middle vault indentation
Rib cartilage can be an excellent source of cartilage for rhinoplasty grafting. Using rib cartilage successfully can be technique (surgeon) sensitive, though. There are several methods that can be used to prevent warping.
In my experience (and in various studies published in the facial plastic surgery literature) rib cartilage doesn't have clinically significant absorption issues.
That being said if the indentation that is being treated isn't very big you may be able to use ear or septum cartilage (if they is some still available). Your surgeon can discuss your options best since that's who has actually examined your nose.
Helpful
August 31, 2013
Answer: Use of rib cartilage for middle vault indentation
Rib cartilage can be an excellent source of cartilage for rhinoplasty grafting. Using rib cartilage successfully can be technique (surgeon) sensitive, though. There are several methods that can be used to prevent warping.
In my experience (and in various studies published in the facial plastic surgery literature) rib cartilage doesn't have clinically significant absorption issues.
That being said if the indentation that is being treated isn't very big you may be able to use ear or septum cartilage (if they is some still available). Your surgeon can discuss your options best since that's who has actually examined your nose.
Helpful
August 29, 2013
Answer: Rib Graft Concerns?
If you have ear cartilage available and you have a small defect, you can certainly consider grafting with the ear cartilage. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.
Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
Helpful
August 29, 2013
Answer: Rib Graft Concerns?
If you have ear cartilage available and you have a small defect, you can certainly consider grafting with the ear cartilage. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.
Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
Helpful