Donor Cartilage Rhinoplasty, Can You Use Someone Else’s Cartilage
Rhinoplasty with ear cartilage uses ear cartilage to build up the nasal tip, together with a silicone implant or other tissue.
- gives the nose more projection and height than closed rhinoplasty
- no silicone in the tip, lowering the chance of friction, a thin tip and tip extrusion
- suitable if you want to correct the nasal structure
- a small incision in the fold of the ear, where it is hard to see
Rhinoplasty with rib cartilage is surgery that makes an incision below the breast crease to take rib cartilage. It can be used for both the bridge and the tip without a silicone implant.
- gives more projection and height than other materials
- a stronger structure than ear cartilage
- suitable for cases with small ear cartilage or where cartilage from both ears has already been used
- suitable if you have had several revisions and have a misshapen nose or a damaged structure
When choosing a rhinoplasty technique, the surgeon makes a detailed assessment of what you want, your health and any previous technique (if you have had rhinoplasty before), to decide which technique suits you and most closely meets your needs.
However, when surgery is needed to take tissue, ear cartilage or rib cartilage, some people may feel afraid or anxious. People who have had rhinoplasty and changed or revised the shape many times may no longer have enough cartilage to use, and wonder whether someone else’s cartilage can be used instead.
Can Donor Cartilage Be Used for Rhinoplasty
Your Own Cartilage or Tissue Is Generally Preferred, but If You Do Not Have Enough, an Acellular Dermal Matrix (A Processed Tissue Graft) or Donor Cartilage Can Be Used
However, the surgeon will assess many factors and may choose another material that suits you better for rhinoplasty to lower the risks in different areas, because nose surgery is an operation in which safety must come first.
If you are worried about surgery on another area, such as behind the ear or the ribs, you will be under sedation or general anaesthetic given by the anaesthetist during the operation, and you wake up afterwards with your new nose. After that, follow your surgeon’s advice closely.
Using your own cartilage and tissue has a lower chance of some complications compared with other materials, including inflammation, movement of the implant, redness and thinning of the skin, and it can feel soft to the touch. Using cartilage together with a silicone implant can also reduce friction and lower the chance of implant extrusion. The nasal structure is also stronger compared with other materials.
Who Is Rhinoplasty With Rib Cartilage Suitable For
- people who have had several revisions and have a misshapen nose, a damaged structure, or infection and inflammation
- people whose body reacts against foreign materials
- people with a short nasal tip and thin nasal tissue who want a higher bridge and a longer, slimmer tip
- people with thick nasal tissue and a thick tip who want a higher bridge and a longer, slimmer tip
- people who do not have enough ear cartilage for correction or for septal extension
- people who have never had rhinoplasty and want as high a bridge as is possible for them without thinning the skin at the tip
- people at risk of implant extrusion who want a lower chance of complications over the long term
After surgery, taking the cartilage usually has little effect on the body, because the cartilage taken does not affect your health.
Choosing an experienced surgeon can help you feel more confident and less worried. If you still have questions, you can book a consultation with our surgeons for advice here.
Why Have Rhinoplasty With Cartilage at S45 Clinic
- surgeons with direct rhinoplasty experience and modern equipment
- careful diagnosis to address each problem
- nose shapes designed using golden ratio principles to suit each person’s face
Note: Repeat nose surgery, which many people know as ‘nose reshaping’, is surgery for people who have had nose surgery before and want a further assessment by a surgeon. The approach to care depends on the original problem, the nasal structure and the surgeon’s judgement in each case.
