Diced cartilage: an effective graft for post-traumatic and revision rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty has grown and developed over so many years but the choice of the graft material in revision rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty for post-traumatic cases still remains debatable. In such patients, non-availability of adequate autogenous graft, multiple septal fractures and skin fibrosis are a challenge to the rhinologist. To deal with this problem authors have used diced cartilage pieces as a grafting material. Secondary rhinoplasty for correction of the nasal dorsum was done in 32 patients and evaluated. The study, highlights the distinct advantages of using diced cartilage wrapped in fascia for dorsal augmentation. Full length grafts were used in all patients and this was supported on a L-shaped cartilage fixed between the two upper lateral cartilage. Fascial tube was prepared from fascia lata and conchal, rib or septal cartilage was the source of diced cartilage (0.5-1 mm sized pieces). The L-shaped structural support was prepared from the remnant of septal cartilage if any or from the conchal or rib cartilage. Patients were followed for a period of 6 months-3 years. In 30 patients post-op course was uneventful with good reconstruction results. Step-deformity was encountered in one patient and in another patient the tube opened with extrusion of diced cartilage pieces. Both these patients were effectively managed. In conclusion, diced cartilage wrapped in fascial tube has distinct advantages like it is simpler procedure and graft material is adequate and autogenous. Grafts can be prepared as per the desired length, shape and size to fit the specific defect. These being highly malleable can be used without any tension on the already thickened and fibrosed skin and soft tissue. Complications like step deformity and extrusion rarely occur and can be easily managed. Over correction and graft visibility were not met with.