Ear Cartilage or Rib Graft for Rhinoplasty?

Actually, ear cartilage is more likely to warp than rib cartilage because is is thin and softer than rib.  The choice really depends on what the cartilage is being used for.  If is is being used for replacement of tip cartilage, ear cartilage is usually better.  If it is being used to build up the nasal bridge, the rib graft will be better because a thicker and straighter piece of cartilage can be far vested from the ribs.  Good luck!

I would not use silicone! For 35 years of revision rhinoplasty I have never had to use rib which is painfull and expensive. Ear cartilage and soft tissue is my material of choice if all the septal cartilage is gone. 

The answer to your question depends primarily on how much cartilage will be required. Ear cartilage is very easy to obtain and it is easy to work with and very predictable. Rib cartilage grafts require a scar on your chest and requires a more extensive surgery to harvest. Thus, if you only need a small amount of cartilage to achieve your rhinoplasty results, an ear cartilage graft is ideal. If you need alot of dorsal augmentation or structure that an ear cartilage graft won't provide then you are probably better served by a rib graft. You can also use cadaveric (donor) rib cartilage which precludes surgery on your chest but this has a higher tendency to reabsorb and warp, not the mention the occasional philosophical concerns of patients receiving cadaveric graft material. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS