Literature scans: cartilage grafts in nasal tip rhinoplasty

In the last years, surgical strategies in rhinoplasty were deeply modified with a gradual shifting from a reductive rhinoplasty, with aggressive intervention and trimming of the cartilages, to a more conservative and then “additive” rhinoplasty. We aimed to report the different types of autologous cartilage graft and the specific indications for each one. The authors reviewed 201 papers published in the last 10 years in the international literature database PUBMED and EMBASE deciding to isolate only those articles providing either retrospective or prospective data pertaining to outcomes, descriptions, and complications of the cartilage grafts use in nasal tip’s rhinoplasty. Of the 201 articles, 96 were initially selected. Of these, 38 met the predetermined criteria for inclusion. Nasal septum, concha, and the ribs are the main sources for autografts to be used in rhinoplasty. Septal cartilage is easy to harvest, it is versatile, could be useful for many types of grafts, and it has a low percentage of resorption, extrusion, and warping. Cartilage from the auricular concha can be used to correct both the internal and external nasal valve collapse with satisfactory results. Costal chondral grafts are usually used for structural support when septal cartilage is not available. It is possible to divide autologous grafts into two main categories: structural grafts (columellar strut, septal extension, and the alar batten grafts) and contour improving grafts (onlay tip, shield, cap, and the alar rim grafts) useful for the structural support to the tip and smoothing and hiding irregularities.

Level of Evidence: Not ratable.