Alias Name
Rib Cartilage Rhinoplasty

Procedure Detail
Using the patient’s own cartilage, either from the nose itself or a donor site, tends to provide the most natural, long-lasting results. Rib cartilage is often preferable over ear cartilage because it tends to be stronger. There is an abundant supply of cartilage in the rib, enough to achieve any surgeon’s grafting needs. This is especially helpful in cases of saddle nose deformities where longer segments of dorsal augmentation may be necessary.

Features
Septal cartilage is not be available for grafting, rib cartilage will be a better choice

Benefits
Nose reshaping, elevated nose bridge, beautiful nose.

Recommended
Short nose, Flat nose.

Suitable Candidate
Suitable for patient who needs a revision Rhinoplasty, a saddle nose deformity, severe alar retraction, alar collapse etc.

Popularity
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Safety
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Complexity
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Pros
It can significantly change the nasal defects and reconstruct the soft structure of the nose; rib cartilage has low absorption rate, does not penetrate the skin, does not have blood vessels, is easy to survive, and does not cause rejection; It can be sculpted into the ideal shape, and it can be widely used.

Cons
Cartilage needs to be cut harvested, leaving scars on the lower part of the chest; rib cartilage can have a tendency to warp or change shape; rib cartilage removal and carving require higher technical skill for doctors; surgery is more expensive and takes longer to recover.

Unsuitable Candidate
Those with inflammation around the nasal tissue; those with  heart, liver, kidney, blood and immune system disease; those psychological not prepared; women with menstruation and lactating; those with scar hyperplasia.

Scar
No

Anesthesia Method
General anesthesia

Treatment Course
Single time

Procedures Technique
Surgery

Sustainability
10 years and above

Recovery Period
1-3 months

Qualification
Practitioner in medical aesthetics or plastic surgeon

Pain Scale
No pain

Before the Procedure

1. Preoperative examination, including blood check, blood pressure, and three-dimensional CT examination of ear cartilage. Make sure that you are healthy and free from infectious diseases or other body inflammation.
2. Patients with hypertension and diabetes should Inform the doctor about the condition at the first visit, so that the doctor in charge can confirm the plastic surgery and postoperative treatment plan.
3. The patient must not suffer from folliculitis, acne, and acute ophthalmitis. On the day of rhinoplasty, the patient needs to take a bath and wash away the grease on the face, and the patient also needs to clean the nasal cavity and cut the nose hair.
4. In order to avoid infection, women cannot undergo surgery during menstruation.
5. Two weeks before the operation, do not take drugs containing aspirin, because the drugs will reduce the function of platelet coagulation.
6. If general anesthesia (removal of nasal septal cartilage) is used for surgery, you need to fast for more than 6-8 hours before surgery.

0-3rd days
Severe swelling period from 0 days to 3 days Recovery Tips:
The swelling is more obvious in this period, the wound will have slight bleeding, mild pain on the day after the operation, sometimes there will be bruises on the back of the nose, a small amount of blood scabs in the nasal cavity, and the face will begin to swell, these are normal reactions. Don’t worry too much. Keep a calm mind and get more rest.

Aftercare methods:

1. The gauze needs to be replaced when changing the dressing on the first day after the operation.
2. There may be a little bloody liquid flowing out of the nostrils of the surgical incision, which can be gently wiped off with a sterile cotton swab. Do not touch the wound with unsterilized things to avoid infection. You can use cold compresses within 24 hours.
3. Sleep on your back as much as possible for the first 3 days after surgery.

4-6th days
Recovery tips:
The pain of the nose and face is gradually reduced, but the swelling will become more and more obvious, and the contour of the outer nose is not clear. There will be a lot of discharge, which may spread to the eye area and cause swelling.

Aftercare methods:

1.  Remove the nose clip on the back of the nose to clean the oily secretions on the nose and fix it again.

2. The scab accumulated in the wound can be gently washed away with hydrogen peroxide within 48 hours of the operation, and then washed with saline, Iodophor wipes the nostrils and wounds to keep them clean.

3. Do not let foreign objects hit the nose.

7th days
7 days for the stitches to be removed. Recovery Tips:
7 days to remove sutures at the hospital (because of different surgical methods, do it according to doctor’s advice).

Aftercare methods:

1.  Keep the wound clean to prevent infection.
2. The wound should not be wet within 24 hours after removing the suture.
3. No rubbing, apply scar removal ointment to lighten the scar.
4. Pay attention to light diet, spicy food.

8-15th days
Recovery tips:
Facial blood circulation cause swelling to be more severe, but it will also reduced quickly. After the swelling gradually subsided, the bruises around the eyes gradually changed from red to yellow, and there will still be discomfort at the tip and back of the nose. If there is conjunctival stasis, the stasis will basically disappear during this period.

Caring methods:

1. The splint of the nose can be removed or kept depending on individual, but the skin on the back of the nose and face should be cleaned.
2. Some simple activities can be done. Avoid spicy foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, and take protein supplements.

16-30th days
Recovery tips:
It takes 2 weeks for the swelling of the nose to subside significantly, and 6 weeks for it to disappear.

Aftercare methods:

1.  Do not eat spicy, allergic causing foods, no smoking and alcohol within 1 month after surgery.

2. Avoid bumping nose within one month after surgery to prevent crookedness.

31-180th days
Stable period from 31 days to 180 days Recovery tips:
The tissue recovery period is 6 months, and the result is better by then.

Aftercare methods:

1. After the operation, try to avoid external collisions and nose picking. If you find nostril fluid, swelling and pain, please return to the hospital as soon as possible.

Reminder
The above postoperative care is for reference only. Due to individual differences and different surgical procedures, the recovery cycle, suture removal time and aftercare methods will be different. The specific plan is to follow the doctor’s advice.