In my early 60's, am I too old for a revision rhinoplasty for an over rotated nose?

Question

I don't have enough available septal cartilage and being I am over 60 I don't know if my rib cartilage would be usable, if not would cadaver rib be an option ?

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as medically patients are healthy enough to have a surgery patients may continue to have surgery into the latter years of life.. depending on the exam there may be septal cartilage present.  I would see a surgeon who performs rhinoplasty often and regularly; indeed if there is not enough cartilage there are other areas where cartilage may be borrowed from such as the ear..

Peyman Solieman, MD · Answer

Your concern is a very valid one and this is a very good question. As we all age, portions of our rib cartilage do calcify and become much more like bone and as a result are less than ideal as a source of cartilage for nasal surgery. If a surgeon were to start your procedure and find that your rib cartilage is calcified, you will have undergone an unnecessary procedure that leaves a scar and can be quite painful for some time as you heal. Moreover, during the procedure your surgeon would then need to find some other source to reconstruct and lengthen and counter-rotate your nose.
 At my practice, we have operated on many patients wanting rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty well into their 60s and even 70s who are in good health. We have performed  countless revision cases using cadaveric rib cartilage with great, long lasting results, and offer this option to patients instead of using their own rib cartilage. I recommend visiting a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or general plastic surgeon with a special expertise in revision rhinoplasty.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You are best to be seen in person. I have used a person's own cartilage, cadaver cartilage as well.....

Richard Mark Winters, MD · Answer

....and you are a good candidate for a revision (generally the only deal breaker from a nasal standpoint is compromised skin envelope/blood supply) your age neither places you at higher risk nor does it prolong your recovery....that said, costochondral (rib) cartilage tends to be more calcified after age 55 but then again cadaver cartilage is always more brittle and can be difficult to work with.... often a chest xray can be useful in vetting your rib cartilageif you are truly 'upturned,' then you will likely need to be lengthened with spreader grafts that are long and straight....good luck

In my early 60's, am I too old for a revision rhinoplasty for an over rotated nose?

Answers (4)

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