In Case The Surgeon Needs To Use Grafts To Build A Collapsed Nose In Revision Rhinoplasty, What Is Best To Use?
Dr. Samieh Sam Rizk, New York based facial plastic surgeon: My first preference is a cartilage from inside the nose (nasal septum). If the septum cartilage is absent or not enough, the next best grafts will be taken from the ear. This will cause no side-effects as to the hearing ability or shape of the ear. The ear provides a soft curved graft and may be good for a small area of collapse but does not provide major support. About 20 percent of patients may require rib cartilage. Rib cartilage can be provided from banked irradiated rib and has equivalent longevity as the person’s own rib but avoids a second surgical site. It has been used for many years with no disease transmission. When rib cartilage is used it is very important to sculpt them to soften their shape. Dr. Rizk innovated a micro-diamond sculpting powered instrument to shape and sculpt the rib cartilage as well as other types of cartilages to soften their edges.
