Mastoid bone as a new graft material in rhinoplasty

The management of certain nasal deformities, especially after prior rhinoplasty, may require grafting material. In this study we describe the use of mastoid bone as a viable and low morbidity autologous graft.

Mastoid bone was used for nasal augmentation, smoothing dorsal nasal irregularities, or augmentation of radix. Candidates for mastoid bone graft were patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty suffering from low radix or saddle nose deformity and candidates for secondary rhinoplasty suffering from prior overresection of the osteocartilaginous structures.

Fifty-six patients met the study criteria. Eighteen patients underwent secondary rhinoplasty and suffered from prior overresection of osteocartilaginous structures and 38 patients underwent primary rhinoplasty. Of these, 18 patients had a low radix and 20 patients had a saddle nose deformity. Follow-up was 6-49 months (mean, 23 months). All cases resulted in an augmented straightened nasal dorsum, increased tip projection, and adjusted radix. There were no cases of graft infection. In two cases the graft was displaced requiring revision. The amount of graft absorption even after 2 years follow-up was acceptable. There were no donor site complications.

The mastoid bone graft provides adequate autologous bone in most cases of primary or revision rhinoplasty. The donor site carries low morbidity and a well camouflaged scar. It is easily accessible especially for the otolaryngologist who is accustomed to operating on the mastoid bone.