Is it possible to replace the entire septum without breaking ones nose?

Question

I need a full nasal reconstruction for a perforated septum. The doctor I consulted with wants to replace it with irradiated cartilage. Is it necessary to beak my nose to do this? Also Does cartilage have DNA and if so why is it not rejected by the body? And just food for thought, if I got a DNA test on the cartilage in a year or so (not that I would just wondering) what would the results be? Would the cells be replaced by my cells or would it read as someone else's DNA?

Victor Chung, MD · Answer

teddysurf,Septal perforation repairs can be challenging. The repair may require advanced techniques, especially if the perforation has caused weakness and saddling of your bridge. In your situation, the important feature is the cartilage. The bones are not typically broken. I recently published a paper with Dr. Toriumi and Dr. Cappelle on repairing septal perforations with rib perichondrium (covering on the rib cartilage). Our study found a high success rate when we used the patient's own tissue. Not everyone has the ability to harvest rib. It may be a safety concern for your surgeon. Safety comes first.

Elbert T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello,If it is just a septal perforation, the surgeon would not need to break your bones;  but, it would depend on what other procedures are performed simultaneously with the perforation repair.  Good question about the DNA, but the cartilage is irradiated and left with the structure or scaffolding of the cartilage.  Your cells don't build up an immune response to the cartilage because the surface antigens are wiped "clean".  Best of luck!

Regina Rodman, MD · Answer

Great questions!

To reconstruct the septum we use irradiated cartilage.  This is cadaver cartilage that has been treated with radiation so all the DNA and living cell that cause rejection are killed off before it is placed into your body.  Because no system is perfect, there is a small small small chance of your body having a reaction to the donor cartilage.

If you got a test on the cartilage in a year, it would only show the DNA of your skin and mucosa cells that have grown over it.

Best of luck!

Dr. Rodman

Michael Hakimi, MD · Answer

Radiation kills all the cells in the bone / cartilage and therefore by the time they are in your body there is no DNA. Your body will make blood vessels and scar tissue around it to incorporate it.

There are other options for example harvesting and carving the cartilage from one's own ribs. That will require a small scar on your chest.

Is it possible to replace the entire septum without breaking ones nose?

Answers (4)

Answer: Septal reconstruction

Answer: Septal reconstruction

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is it possible to replace the entire septum without breaking ones nose?

Answers (4)

Answer: Septal reconstruction

Answer: Septal reconstruction

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.