Rhinoplasty using rib chondro-osseous graft in Asian patients

Corrective rhinoplasty for functional and aesthetic recovery relies much on the use of grafts. This may be effectively accomplished with alloplastic materials; however, certain circumstances mandate the use of autologous grafts. Septal and auricular cartilages are inadequate for dorsal augmentation of the Asian nose. Here, we present our experiences with the correction of nasal deformities using chondro-osseous rib grafts, aiming at anatomic and functional reconstruction of the nose dorsum, especially the keystone area. The deformity was the result of trauma in 16 patients, postrhinoplastic deformities in 7, and congenital deformities in 5 patients. All the patients underwent reconstructive rhinoplasty using the sixth or seventh rib complex graft. Overall, functional and aesthetic outcome was satisfactory in all patients. Rigid bony union, good nasal projection, and symmetry were obtained. Graft exposure, displacement, warping, and significant bone absorption were not observed. The seventh or sixth rib provided not only the greatest overall available length and thickness, but also less donor-site morbidity. In conclusion, using rib bone and cartilage combination graft as a single unit allowed more predictable and reliable reconstruction of the nose deformity than did the conventional dorsal grafts.