Risks of Using Rib Cartilage for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Rib cartilage's main advantage is its plentiful supply.  The main risks of rib cartilage are:

Risk of pneumothorax-  Pneumothorax is a "popped lung".  This can occur when harvesting rib from the chest area.  This is not common with an experienced rib revision surgery.

Risk of warping-  Warping can occur with rib cartilage.  Decreasing the incidence of warping significantly by experience in carving costal cartilage.  There are several techniques for doing this.

Scarring-  Rib rhinoplasty requires a scar on the chest.  Most patients can have a limited incision scar which can limit postoperative visbility of the area.

Overly stiff nose-  Rib cartilage is a stiffer material and can make the nose a stiffer feeling 

Overly wide nose- Rib cartilage can make the nose wider.  Ideally, it is carved into narrower portions to limit issues with width post procedure

Infection- Any graft has the risk of infection

Postoperative pain-  Rarely patients can experience pain in area where rib was harvested

 

 

In revision rhinoplasty, it is usually necessary to reconstruct and reshape the nasal framework using cartilage grafts. Because available septal cartilage has usually been removed during the first surgery, grafts must obtained from another site - either the ear or the rib.
Rib cartilage has many uses and advantages in revision rhinoplasty. It can be carved or shaped to the desired configuration. Its rigidity can provide support to a weakend nasal framework.
Drawbacks of Rib Cartilage Include:
* Rendency to warp (curve). This can make the result unpredictable. * Nose may feel firm or inflexible.
Potential Risks of Rib Cartilage Harvest:
* Bleeding * Prominent scar * Pain * Infection * Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) * Chest wall deformity
However, in experienced hands, rib cartilage allows successful results in revision rhinoplasty.