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No cartilage left in my nose from previous rhinoplasty, is it possible to have a revision rhinoplasty in this case?

I had rhinoplasty surgery eight years ago and today I went for a revision rhinoplasty consultation(different doctor) he checked my nose for cartilage and said that they did not leave any Cartilage in it from the previous surgery, he also said that he could take some from the ear but in my case he couldn't find anything in my nose and recommended that i don't do it again because it will be very weak and it could collapse, so I was wondering how true is this?

Doctor Answers 6

April 4th, 2017

I strongly disagree

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Seek better opinions... it is a RULE in revision rhinoplasties to meet a shortfall of cartilage in noses, therefore us, the real experts in revisions, do turn to harves ear's concha bowl, rib cartilage, temporal fascia, etc.


Spain Plastic Surgeon

April 3rd, 2017

No cartilage left in my nose from previous rhinoplasty, is it possible to have a revision rhinoplasty in this case?

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Not all revision rhinoplasty procedures require cartilage grafting. If there is a cartilage depleted nose from a septoplasty in the past, then ear cartilage can be considered.

Learn more: https://www.seattlefacial.com/rhinoplasty_photos.html

William Portuese, MD

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 158 reviews

March 31st, 2017

Use of Ear Cartilage in Revision Rhinoplasty

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I frequently see patients for a revision rhinoplasty where the original surgeon left little cartilage in the nose. As long as the previous surgeon did not change the ears it is very very rare that I cannot use fascia and ear cartilage to reconstruct the nose. Doing this will not make the nose weaker but actually strengthen it and provide more definition. See a surgeon who is a specialist in revision rhinoplasty.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 43 reviews

March 31st, 2017

Revision Rhinoplasty and no cartilage left in your nose.

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Revision rhinoplasty is a surgery to improve the shape of your nose for breathing or appearance after a previous nose surgery. 

Many patients lack cartilage in their noses after a first surgery. For smaller, curved grafts, your surgeon may go to one or both ears. For longer, straighter grafts, your surgeon may harvest cartilage from your rib. Another option is to use cartilage from a cadaver or synthetic implants. I find it best to use the patient's own, living tissue. Rib cartilage harvest and carving are advanced techniques, so make sure your rhinoplasty surgeon has experience with ribs. Safety comes first. 

Learn more: http://www.lajollafacialplasticsurgery.com/facial-plastic-surgery/revision-rhinoplasty

Victor Chung, MD

Victor Chung, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

March 31st, 2017

Ear cartilage use for revision rhinoplasty?

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Ear cartilage use for revision rhinoplasty? For 35 years I have used esr Cartlage and fascia for noses without septal cartilage. It is cheaper and less painful than rib.  See a very experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon can show you many photos of natural revision results. 

Toby Mayer, MD

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 38 reviews

March 30th, 2017

It's common to use ear cartilage for revision rhinoplasty.

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Cartilage grafts are often needed to rebuild structural support in revision rhinoplasty. Septal cartilage (from the nasal septum inside of the nose) is the first choice as a donor site; ear cartilage is generally the second choice; rib is the third. 

It is usually difficult to determine how much septal cartilage is present after previous surgery, although if there is a hole (perforation) in the septum, then there is not likely to be much useable septal cartilage. 

Importantly for you, however, is that none of this precludes a revision. It is common to use these donor sites for cartilage. Your surgeon should explain the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of doing so. But using ear cartilage in particular is quite common for revision rhinoplasty. 

Good luck. It's important that you do research and educate yourself as you consider any surgery. 

Learn more: Http://www.drgoldman.com/rhinoplasty

Steven Goldman, MD

Steven Goldman, MD
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 168 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.