Longevity of a nose job? Doe cartilage grafts ever resorb/lose structure during the lifetime after having a nose job?

Many materials have been used historically to assist rhinoplasty surgeons when augmenting or restructuring noses.  As of 2019, the gold standard remains cartilage  that has been harvested from the patient-to be used in the same patient.  This cartilage taken from you, and placed into your nose for tissue augmentation or for structural reasons-very rarely reduces in volume or structural strength.  Sure-if you get a major infection or get smashed in the face-your grafting may distort or volume reduce-but then again-so would potentially your normal cartilage react similarly in those circumstances.  This is why your own cartilage is the gold standard for grafting into your nose.  PERIOD !!  Should last you till you are 125 years old...or longer-send us a picture when you are 125 so we can confirm these observations that we have been extolling the virtues of for the last 50 or so years!!

The longevity of cartilage grafts depends upon individual healing characteristics and blood supply, type of cartilage, use of cartilage, and meticulous detail of the procedure.  Unless there is an infection, the cartilage grafts should not resorb or lose structure.

Depending on the cartage that is used for grafting and the type of grafts used, cartilage grafts tend to stay where they are put.  There is no real reason a cartilage graft should absorb, BUT if the place they are used and for the purpose they are used, the cartage might not be supported to live on.  An example of this is in secondary or tertiary rhinoplasty where the wound bed is mostly scar tissue.  However, in primary rhinoplasty, the wound bed is generally good so the grafts should take and stay over time.

There is certainly some absorption over time but the scar around the cartilage also creates support and strength. The primary area where there should be concern is absorption of dorsal onlay grafts or grafts used to make a nose bigger. The grafts in primary rhinoplasty are almost always support and structural grafts and there are rarely ever any issues with absorption there.

Cartilage grafting in rhinoplasty is incredibly safe and works very well as long as the cartilage is used properly and placed in the right areas.  It is incredibly rare, but possible, for cartilage to resorb or "go away".  Typically this is only seen if there is an infection present.  It's also debate-able on whether or not donor or cadaveric cartilage resorbs over time but many people use it safely with good long term results.  
As with any rhinoplasty, its all about technique and if the cartilage is not shaped or placed properly, the result can be compromised.  Make sure you seek evaluation with a facial plastic surgeon comfortable with rhinoplasty for your best result.  Good luck!