What is a shield graft made of? Are there different types of shield grafts? And why is it needed?

Question

I heard it can make the nose appear big. Why would it be needed if someone wants to make their nose appear smaller? Thanks

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

A shield graft was initially popular eyes by Dr. Jack Sheen.  It appears almost like a shield and is made from cartilage  typically harvested from nasal septal cartilage.  It can also be obtained from a rib cartilage or from the ear.  It is typically placed on the nasal tip to give it definition and also to help with tip projection.  As the tip is elevated and projected it can give the illusion of her nose being smaller.RegardsDr. J

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Shield grafts are composed of cartilage and are generally heart or pear shaped cartilage grafts that are placed in the front part of the tip of the nose to give added projection to that area.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A shield graft is made from cartilage often from the septum and is used on the tip of the nose to give it more definition.

Christopher D. Knotts, MD, FACS · Answer

A shield graft is a piece of your own cartilage cut into the shape of a shield. When placed on the nasal tip and sutured in place, it adds definition to an otherwise blunted tip. Regarding why it's used to make a nose appear smaller, it's really about creating tip definition. This is particularly useful in patients with thicker skin when the normal cartilages don't really stand out under that thickness. Hope that helps!CDK

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Hi,Shield grafts are intended to add shape and support to the tip of the nose. They have to be carved just right in order to achieve a narrow tip that looks natural and less bulbous. If the are to large the can make the tip look bulky of bulbous. See video below.Best,Dr.S.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Yes, Dr. Jack Sheen described shield grafts, in the 70's, to be put into the  nasal tip, during a closed rhinoplasty, to provide support, definition, symmetry and projection. Subsequently that shape was changes to the use of multiple tip grafts of a different shape. This lessened the appearance of "hot spots". These hot spots were tip points that were asymmetrical; one higher than the other .

What is a shield graft made of? Are there different types of shield grafts? And why is it needed?

Answers (6)

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