Is rib cartilage from a cadaver safe to use in rhinoplasty?

Question

3 years ago I had a columellar strut graft placed in the tip of my nose to increase projection. Cadaveric cartilage was used to fashion the graft. If graft begins to resorb over time, will the scar tissue that has infused with the graft be sufficient to maintain projection and compensate for resorption? Thanks.

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. Cadaver rib cartilage is safe to use, but given that it is not native tissue, your body will degrade it over time. Only time shows how much it will resorb over time, so a better option might be autologous rib cartilage, or other native cartilage.
Best,
Gary Linkov, MD
Rhinoplasty Specialist
Manhattan

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. Radiated cadaver cartilage is safe to use but due to a different DNA, I personally prefer patient's rib cartilage. I suggest you meet a couple of experienced surgeons for the evaluation in person. 
Best Regards

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Cadaver rib cartilage is safe but i do not use it because I don't feel survival is as good as autologous grafts. There is no way to predict what will happen with your cadaver graft in the future; time will tell.

Is rib cartilage from a cadaver safe to use in rhinoplasty?

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