Harvesting rib cartilage grafts for secondary rhinoplasty

A sufficient amount of strong yet flexible cartilage is the basis on which a successful secondary rhinoplasty is built. The correction of both functional as well as cosmetic deformities frequently requires considerable amounts of grafting material. Grafts associated with high success and low resorption rates are imperative for successful outcomes. Five distinct donor sites exist for harvest: septal cartilage, auricular cartilage, rib cartilage, and iliac and calvarial bone. Rib cartilage is the preferred source of graft material in primary and revision rhinoplasty when septal sources are not available. Rib cartilage provides an abundant source of rigid yet flexible cartilage grafts ideally suited for rhinoplasty. Grafts are easily produced with considerable variation regarding the length, width, as well as shape of the grafts. The operative technique and possible risks and complications are discussed.