Comparison of different autografts for aural cartilage in aesthetic rhinoplasty: is the tragal cartilage graft a viable alternative?

Abstract Auricular cartilage is an important source of grafts for various reconstructive procedures such as aesthetic rhinoplasty. The purpose of this investigation was to compare tragal cartilage with auricular cartilage harvested from the concha and scapha, and describe its clinical viability, ind...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery 2013-12, Vol.51 (8), p.863-867
Main Authors: Zinser, Max J, Siessegger, Mathias, Thamm, Oliver, Theodorou, Panangiotis, Maegele, Mark, Ritter, Lutz, Kreppel, Matthias, Sailer, Martin H, Zöller, Joachim E, Mischkowski, Robert A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Autografts - transplantation
Cicatrix - etiology
Concha
Dentistry
Dissection - methods
Ear Cartilage - anatomy & histology
Ear Cartilage - transplantation
Esthetics
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Graft Survival
Grafts
Humans
Male
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods
Morbidity
Operative Time
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty - methods
Scapha
Surgery
Tissue and Organ Harvesting - methods
Tragus
Transplant Donor Site - anatomy & histology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Auricular cartilage is an important source of grafts for various reconstructive procedures such as aesthetic rhinoplasty. The purpose of this investigation was to compare tragal cartilage with auricular cartilage harvested from the concha and scapha, and describe its clinical viability, indications, and morbidity in rhinoplasty. A total of 150 augmentation rhinoplasties with a total of 170 grafts were included. The donor sites were tragus ( n = 136), concha ( n = 26), and scapha ( n = 8). The time needed to harvest the grafts, the donor site morbidity, and the indications for operation were recorded. The anthropometric changes to 4 auricular variables after the cartilage had been harvested were analysed and compared with those on the opposite side in 48 patients using Student's paired t -test. Intraobserver reliability was assessed using Pearson's intraclass correlation. The mean (SD) harvesting time was 27 (8) min for the concha, 4.5 (1.4) min for the tragus, and 5.7 (1.6) min for the scapha. The largest graft was taken from the concha (28 × 19 mm), followed by the tragus (20 × 12 mm), and the scapha (18 × 6 mm). The grafts were placed at the following sites: tip grafts ( n = 123), columella struts ( n = 80), shield ( n = 20), rim ( n = 17), and dorsal onlay ( n = 15). Harvesting tragal cartilage is safe, simple, fast, and has a low morbidity, but it can affect the patient's ability to wear earphones. Tragal cartilage is a good alternative for nasal reconstruction if a graft of no longer than 20 mm is required.
ISSN:0266-4356
1532-1940
DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2013.04.001