Doctor suggested using cartilage sent from a lab to be placed in nose. Would my nose reject cartilage that's not mine?

Question

Hello, I had a rhino with a popular surgeon in Beverly Hills and my nose looks horrible so he suggested a revision for free under local in office... he took out cartilage from my right ear and I hate how it feels now. He suggested for the revision to take more cartilage out on the left side, but I didn’t want to so he suggested that we purchase cartilage from a lab that’s been like sanitized and all that. Would my nose reject cartilage that’s not mine? Is that a good idea? Please help!!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Nasal cartilage is always the primary grafting source when performing a revision rhinoplasty procedure. It's important to know how much cartilage left on the inside of the nose for grafting purposes. If there is a cartilage depleted nose, then consider ear cartilage.

David Reinstadler, MD · Answer

What you are talking about is usually radiated and sterilized cadaver cartilage. It is used by many surgeons as an alternative to the patients own rib cartilage. There is a very low incidence of issues with that option in general. I personally do not use this cartilage as I think the native cartilage has a better outcome and does have a lower risk of infection. I would recommend visiting with a few revision rhinoplasty surgeons to get their opinion on options even if you do end up using the same surgeon who did the primary rhinoplasty. It is tough to see what is possible without an in person examinationBest of luck

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Very consistent results have been observed with organ donated cartilage for patients needing volume replacement or cartilage support.

David Alessi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

We use both cadaver rib and the patient's own rib and have good results with both.  The are a few differences with each but both are good alternatives.  The rejection rate with banked cartilage is not much different than that will your own rib.  Best wishes.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Babygirl, Your surgeon is discussing is cadaver cartilage that is radiated and sterilized. I personally do not use this type of cartilage and prefer to use some of the patients septal cartilage or ear cartilage if needed. In my opinion if a rhinoplasty is performed properly you rarely need any grafting. I also do not perform rhinoplasty procedures under local anesthesia to ensure the patients comfort and safety. I always have an anesthesiologist in every case. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Doctor suggested using cartilage sent from a lab to be placed in nose. Would my nose reject cartilage that's not mine?

Answers (5)

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