How Long After Your Primary Rhinoplasty Will Cartilage Reabsorb?

Question

For my primary rhinoplasty, my PS made an incision in my hair and took cartilage from the layer underneath my hair and he also used ear cartilage. How long will it be until the cartilage reabsorbs? (if it will happen)

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Cartilage resorption after rhinoplasty is  complete by 1 year. It depends on how the cartilage was done as to how much remains at 1 year.

Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

From what you describe, temporal fascia (soft tissue that overlies the temporal muscles) was harvested and wrapped around the ear cartilage in the hope of smoothing out the cartilage and perhaps help it to last longer. I am not a huge fan of ear cartilage, as it can resorb, usually quicker than with septal cartilage, but sometimes it can be permanent. I usually prefer to use Gore-tex, a great implant that works great and prefer it to cartilage in most cases.

Paul K. Holden, MD · Answer

The tissue taken from under your scalp was probably fascia, however, the tissue taken from your ear is indeed cartilage.  If your concern is about the size of your nose and swelling, then you have to allow upwards of a year for all swelling to resolve.  This is a gradual process so the more time goes by, the less swelling you will have.  Some fluctuations in swelling may occur based on your sodium intake, sun exposure and other factors.

	If your question is truly about cartilage reabsorption, this is the phenomenon of cartilage "dissolving" or thinning after it has been grafted.  This is exceptionally rare except in cases of infection.  When grafted material gets infected, it is far more likely to resorb or may even have to be removed.  In the absence of infection, most cartilage grafts do not resorb to any significant degree and will last the lifetime of the patient.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Pup,

	The graft taken from under your hairline is most likely a temporalis fascia graft which may be used to cover other cartilage grafts or wrap diced cartilage grafts.  In the ideal situation, the grafts are permanent and do not reabsorb.  There is not an expected time for graft resorption, though it may occur.  Hope that you enjoy your new nose and that your grafts last your lifetime.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

James C. Marotta, MD · Answer

Cartilage resorption with cartilage grafts is not a desirable or expected outcome. The cartilage was placed there to provide nasal support and presumably to shape the nasal tip. Some cartilage resorption may happen over a year but it is usually a small amount and not enough to be clinically significant i.e. to affect the nasal appearance or structure. In this way, cartilage grafting is a pretty reliable way of influencing the structure, appearance and function of the nose.

How Long After Your Primary Rhinoplasty Will Cartilage Reabsorb?

Answers (9)