What is the difference between a personal and cadaver rib graft? Is there a contrast between complications associated with both?

Question

For my revision rhinoplasty I May need rib Cartilage to rebuild my bridge my biggest fear is the complications that come about itwith it. Is there really no difference between the two? I feel many are using cadaver rib and saying it’s the same as your own personal rib? I read that rib has lesser resporption rate? What are chances of infection or warping or rib moving out of place, how common are these complications?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There were no large studies to compare long term outcome of these two type of rib grafts for nasal reconstruction. However, many of us that are using both type of grafts have impression that there is no significant difference in take, survival, resorption, etc. Hope this helps.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello! Great questions. There are differences between the two and you'll find controversy between surgeons and within the literature. Your own rib is going to be the best because it's your own, natural material. Cadaveric rib has been irradiated and really is a foreign body. Your own rib has a lower resorption rate and the chance of infection is lower if done properly. Warping depends on age and the amount of calcification. Complication rates overall are very low somewhere under 5%. Hope this helps!

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

I would never recommend you to use any one of those two. I have been working very succesfully whit silicone L nose implants for more than 30 years. There is no need to expose you to obtein a rib cartilage, which is major surgery, or to use a cadaver one.
Infections, reabsortion, deviation, bending, and many others are your risk, too many for me.

What is the difference between a personal and cadaver rib graft? Is there a contrast between complications associated with both?

Answers (3)