10th Rib Cartilage: Another Option of the Costal Cartilage Graft for Rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The costal cartilage allows for versatile and stable cartilage supply for rhi-noplasty but disadvantages remain; to minimize these, the 10th costal cartilage was used. We present our experience with the use of the 10th costal cartilage as autologous graft material for rhinoplasty. METHODS: Sixty-four patients whose 10th costal cartilage had been used for correction of severe caudal nasal deviation, secondary cleft lip nasal deformity, and secondary rhi-noplasty with difficulty using the septal and auricular cartilages were enrolled in this study from November 2008 to December 2012. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this method in rhinoplasty, donor-site morbidity, scarring, and postoperative results, including availability of graft material and complications, were assessed. RESULTS: The mean time for cartilage harvesting was 18 minutes, and the mean length of the harvested cartilage was 2.4 cm. The harvested cartilage was used for columellar struts and tip onlay grafts. The natural curvature of the 10th costal cartilage was used, depending on the purpose of the strut. It could be applied without carving in 38 cases (59%). Although revision was performed in three patients, there were no graft-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The 10th costal cartilage can be harvested safely and quickly, and its han-dling procedure is simple. As such, it is a good option as an autologous graft for rhinoplasty.