Perichondrium graft: harvesting and indications in nasal surgery

Irregularities in the nasal contour of patients who underwent multiple surgeries are frequently related also by skilled surgeons. The aim of this study was to describe the method of harvesting and the primary applications of erichondrium grafts in revision rhinoplasty to prevent postoperative irregularities.Conchal grafts were used in the reconstruction of structures missing as a result of rhinoplasty. The perichondrium was removed from the cartilage during harvesting and fixed on the cartilagenous grafts to fill up empty spaces and make uniform the surface of the grafts. These techniques were used on 62 patients.All of the patients treated showed aesthetic improvement with respect to the preoperative situation. Comparison with other cases in which the perichondrium graft was not used demonstrates its effectiveness in avoiding certain sequelae over time, especially as regards the presence of unattractive sharp edges often visible beneath the cutaneous covering after the use of structural grafts.In conclusion, perichondrium grafting during secondary rhinoplasty is an easily performed technique that involves a small increase in operating time if combined with the harvesting of conchal material. Its application over the surface of cartilage grafts constitutes a stable covering over time that protects the definitive result from irregularities caused by the disappearance of postoperative edema and scar retraction.