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Yi. Plast Aesthet Res 2019;6:7 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2018.77 Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Preoperative considerations, operative preparation,
and postoperative care for rib cartilage use in

rhinoplasty

Jong Sook Yi

Dr. Jin’s Premium Nose Clinic, Seoul 06524, South Korea.

Correspondence to: Dr. Jong-Sook Yi, Dr. Jin’s Premium Nose Clinic, Seocho-gu, gangnamdaero, Seoul 06524, South Korea.
E-mail: jjongmari@nate.com

How to cite this article: Yi JS. Preoperative considerations, operative preparation, and postoperative carefor rib cartilage use in rhinoplasty.
Plast Aesthet Res 2019;6:7. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2018.77

Received: 12 Nov 2018 First Decision: 19 Nov 2018 Revised: 4 Mar 2019 Accepted: 15 Mar 2019 Published: 26 Mar 2019

Science Editor: Hong Ryul Jin Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Huan-Liang Wu

Abstract
Rib cartilage is the most reliable material for structural support and dorsal augmentation in Asian rhinoplasty with
its robust strength and bountiful amount. Its value is incomparable especially in complex, cartilage-depleted revision
surgery or major reconstruction. There are many articles regarding harvesting and carving of rib cartilage in rhinoplasty,
however, only few has focused on preoperative and postoperative issues. Preoperatively, evaluating cartilage
availability, assessing quality and quantity of cartilage, and choosing the cartilage to harvest are necessary. Although
easily overlooked, proper postoperative management of rib cartilage rhinoplasty patients is key to prevent infection
and heighten patient satisfaction. Here in, I would like to introduce how I evaluate rib cartilage rhinoplasty patients
preoperatively and manage them postoperatively to maximize the surgical results.

Keywords: Rib cartilage, rhinoplasty, autologous graft, preoperative evaluation, postoperative management

INTRODUCTION
Cartilage grafts are widely used in nasal surgery. Although septal and auricular cartilage are easy to harvest,
they often lack the amount necessary for many situations like revision rhinoplasty, severe deformity or
[1,2]
trauma. As such, a surgeon is often compelled to use other sources . Rib cartilage is the most reliable
material for structural support and augmentation with its robust strength and bountiful amount. It can

© The Author(s) 2019. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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