Why does nasal septal cartilage regrow after septoplasty or rhinoplasty and the tip cartilages do not?

Question

I wanted to know why nasal septum cartilage regenerates and the lower and upper lateral cartilages in the tip of the nose do not, aren't they made of the same type of cartilage. Why does one regenerate and the other does not? I am assuming that there are more stem cells in the perichondrium of the nasal septum than in the lateral cartilages? It seems like if you remove the cartilage from septum during nose job a small or thin layer will regrow over a very long time. Can any doctors confirm this?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

The septal cartilage does not regrow after surgery when it is removed.  For this reason, it is important that cartilage that is removed is not structural in nature to the nose or it will lead to collapse of the nose.  Surgeons can place cartilage back in the nose after septoplasty which can allow better physiology of the nose but it will not lead to regrowth.

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

the septal cartilage does not regrow. If it did, then we could always reharvest the septum as cartilage graft material when performing revision rhinoplasties; if you have septal deviation, it is likely that all of the deviated septum was not removed on the first go around.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Johann90779, Nasal septal cartilage does not regenerate after surgery. More then likely the deviated septum was not fully corrected during the septorhinoplasty. An consultation and intra-nasal examination would answer any of your concerns. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

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Why does nasal septal cartilage regrow after septoplasty or rhinoplasty and the tip cartilages do not?

Answers (3)

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