Correction of Rib Cartilage Harvest. Can the cartilage be regrow on the rib cage and the scar be revised to be invisible?

Question

I underwent revision rhinoplasty using rib cartilage. The are on my chest where the cartilage was take from has a depressed look and feel to it, not to mention a scar over it. My chest looks and feels like I am missing a piece of the bottom portion of my right rib cage. I am an athletic male. Can the cartilage be regrow on the rib cage and the scar be revised to be invisible?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The scar will not be made invisible.  It could possibly be improved.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Robert Kang Kwon, MD · Answer

Can the cartilage regrow?  Not significantly.  In thinner people a visible defect is not uncommon.  There are options to reconstruct the donor site if it is very bothersome, though that would entail additional surgery.Can the scar be revised to be invisible?  No.  All surgeries leave scars, even if it just a fine pale line.  If it is less than a year old, it will likely continue to improve over time.

Correction of Rib Cartilage Harvest. Can the cartilage be regrow on the rib cage and the scar be revised to be invisible?

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Answers (2)

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