Can Existing Septal Cartilage Grafts Be Reused in Revision Rhinoplasty?

The answer is - yes, you can certainly recycle septal cartilage grafts used in a prior rhinoplasty procedure. But this assumes that you are taking out the previously placed grafts because they are not needed or wanted in their current position. 

Depending on what needs to be done to your nose, the cartilage grafts that are needed will vary.  It's unlikely that the existing graft will be sufficient, but then if your revision entails only minor changes perhaps they will be.

Yes, it is possible to reuse septal cartilage that has already been placed in your original surgery. However, this presumes that you need to remove those grafts. It's often best to be prepared to have additional cartilage harvested from elsewhere (ear or rib) in case you need more grafts placed.

Yes, existing cartilage is used for revision rhinoplasty. Revision plastic surgery ranges very broadly from minor to major. Most plastic surgeons prefer to reshape existing cartilage, rather than obtain new cartilage to make a new nose. However, due to scarring and prior surgery, the quality of the existing septal cartilage may be inadequate for future surgery. You will receive a variety of opinions, as there isn't one correct answer. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a rhinoplasty surgeon help determine appropriate options for you.  Best of luck.

 

Dr. Chaboki

 

I have had the opportunity to reuse several misplaced tip grafts during revision rhinoplasty surgery. Specifically, I have used a misplaced, extended shield graft as a columellar strut for maintaining tip support.

I would think that a spreader graft might be too thin to reuse, and removing it may lead to an indentation in the mid-bridge of your nose.

Hope this is helpful.

Dr. Joseph

That being said, grafts may be reused but they also may be thin and may have partially disolved. I always get consent to use ear cartilage for such a case to be sure. What also can yield more graft material is by using an open approach. This allows us to come from the top of the septum and very often find more cartilage.

Dear the SundanceKid,


Yes it is possible to use existing cartilage

In revision surgery, we never know the condition or sizes of previously used cartilage until we start the surgery

We prepare all of our patients for a second source of cartilage (ear or rib) just in case we need it


Best regards,

Nima Shemirani

 

Existing septal cartilage grafts, placed 10 years ago, are difficult to remove and replace, due to the integration of those grafts into scar tissue and the natural tissues.  The only reason to remove the grafts is if they are creating a nasal deformity.  Otherwise, the preexisting grafts should be left in place because more damage will occur trying to remove them.  Additional cartilage grafts can be harvested from either the nose or ears depending upon outcome of the previous surgery and how much grafting is needed for the revision rhinoplasty.

May be, sometime are a little weak, and it is necessary to use fresh one from the ear. 

Existing septal cartilage grafts can be reused. The question is what is prompting the need for revision and the new desired result. In order to achieve that you may need new/additional grafts to get that result.