Dorsal Augmentation Rhinoplasty by Cartilage Allograft

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Nasal dorsal augmentation is commonly performed using cartilage grafts.
• Allogeneic septal cartilage offers an alternative to autologous grafts, potentially avoiding secondary donor site procedures.
• Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may enhance graft integration and healing in rhinoplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction following nasal dorsal rhinoplasty.
• To compare the efficacy of allogeneic septal cartilage grafts with and without the adjunctive use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 104 patients undergoing nasal dorsal augmentation with allogeneic septal cartilage was retrospectively analyzed.
• Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=53) received PRF with the graft, while Group II (n=51) served as the control.
• Aesthetic outcomes were assessed using preoperative and postoperative photographs and the Portuguese version of the Utrecht Questionnaire (UQ) with a visual analog scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• No serious complications such as deformation, extrusion, or allograft resorption were observed in either group.
• Group I (with PRF) showed a significant improvement in mean VAS esthetic satisfaction scores from 3.6 preoperatively to 9.2 at 12 months postoperatively.
• Group II (control) also demonstrated improvement, with mean VAS scores increasing from 3.7 preoperatively to 8.3 at 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• Nasal dorsal rhinoplasty with allogeneic septal cartilage is a safe procedure yielding stable, positive functional and esthetic results.
• The use of allogeneic cartilage is a viable alternative to autologous cartilage, avoiding additional surgical procedures.
• While both groups showed satisfactory outcomes, the addition of PRF may further enhance patient satisfaction in dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty.