Autologous rhinoplasty is a common method of nasal plastic surgery. Because it is made from one's own tissue, it has good biocompatibility and a low risk of rejection. It has been widely used in the field of plastic surgery in recent years. Compared with artificial prosthetic rhinoplasty, autologous tissue rhinoplasty has more advantages in touch, stability and long-term effects. It is especially suitable for patients who are sensitive to foreign body rejection or pursue a natural appearance.
1. Commonly used materials for autologous rhinoplasty
The main materials used in autologous rhinoplasty include autologous cartilage tissue and autologous soft tissue fat . Among them, cartilage material is the core of constructing the nose stent.
1. Ear cartilage
Ear cartilage is one of the most widely used materials in autologous rhinoplasty. It is usually taken from the concha cavity or the scaphoid. It has good elasticity and natural curvature , and is suitable for shaping and supporting the nose tip. Because ear cartilage is soft in texture, it is often used in combination with nasal septum cartilage or costal cartilage to enhance the support of the nose bridge. Ear cartilage has little effect on the appearance of the auricle, recovers quickly, and has fewer postoperative complications. It is an ideal material for mild to moderate rhinoplasty.
2. Nasal septum cartilage
The nasal septum cartilage is located in the middle of the nasal septum and is one of the commonly used autologous materials for rhinoplasty. It has a straight structure and strong supporting force , and is suitable for operations such as nasal columella extension and nasal tip support. The impact of this cartilage on the nasal structure after harvesting is relatively small, but it requires an experienced doctor to operate to avoid excessive material removal causing nasal septum perforation or collapse.
3. Costal cartilage
Costal cartilage is often used in complex or secondary rhinoplasty due to its large size, high strength and strong plasticity . It is especially suitable for reconstructive rhinoplasty that requires a large amount of scaffold material. Costal cartilage is usually taken from the sixth to eighth ribs. Although the extraction is relatively traumatic and problems such as chest wall pain or cartilage deformation may occur after surgery, it has irreplaceable value in large-scale plastic surgery. Reasonable carving and prevention of calcification are the key to ensuring the postoperative effect.
4. Autologous fat and dermal tissue
In some rhinoplasty surgeries that require slight filling or detailed modification, autologous fat or dermal tissue can be used as auxiliary materials. Fat is generally taken from the abdomen or thighs, purified and injected into the bridge of the nose to fine-tune the contour or alleviate the problem of prosthesis edge visibility. Dermal tissue can be used for patients with thinner skin to increase the buffer layer between the skin and the prosthesis and enhance the natural appearance.
2. Selection of autologous rhinoplasty materials
When choosing which autologous material to use for rhinoplasty, you need to consider the following factors:
Plastic surgery needs and complexity of the procedure : For simple modification of the nose tip, ear cartilage can be sufficient; if the nose bridge needs to be significantly raised or the nasal dorsum needs to be lengthened, rib cartilage should be considered.
Patient's basic conditions : If the patient has insufficient ear cartilage, deviated nasal septum, or has undergone nasal surgery, materials from other parts of the body need to be selected as substitutes.
Tissue tolerance and aesthetic requirements : Autologous cartilage tissue has a high degree of integration with the human body and can maintain structural stability for a long time, making it more suitable for patients who focus on long-term effects.
Doctor's experience and technical ability : The carving, fixation and implantation methods of different materials are different, which places high demands on the operator's skills.
3. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of autologous rhinoplasty materials
| Material Type | advantage | shortcoming |
|---|---|---|
| Ear cartilage | Easy to obtain, quick recovery, good natural feeling | Limited support, not suitable for large-scale plastic surgery |
| Nasal septum cartilage | Straight structure, strong support | The materials are limited and the operational risks need to be controlled |
| Costal cartilage | Strong support, large volume, suitable for complex surgery | The material is very traumatic and may calcify or deform after surgery. |
| autologous fat/dermis | Good tissue compatibility, suitable for filling small parts | High absorption rate, multiple fillings required |
IV. Key points for the application of autologous materials in rhinoplasty
Precise carving : After the cartilage is harvested, it needs to be carefully carved into the desired shape to avoid excessive or uneven cutting that affects the postoperative symmetry and appearance.
Tension-free suture : The implant material should be sutured and fixed in a tension-free state to avoid postoperative displacement or skin compression.
Avoid infection and rejection : Although the rejection rate of autologous materials is low, the intraoperative operation must be strictly aseptic to reduce the occurrence of complications.
Reasonable fixation : Especially for costal cartilage materials, anti-rotation design should be done to prevent postoperative deflection or nasal deformity.
Combined application : In actual surgery, a variety of autologous materials are often used in combination, such as ear cartilage for the nose tip and rib cartilage for nose bridge support, to achieve a more ideal structural and aesthetic effect.
5. Postoperative Care and Prevention of Complications
Postoperative care for autologous rhinoplasty is also critical. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise and external impact on the nose, keep the surgical area clean and dry, and use antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor to prevent infection. Early swelling is a normal reaction and generally subsides within 7 to 10 days. A small number of patients may experience problems such as excessive absorption, material deformation, or local protrusion, which require timely review and treatment based on the specific circumstances.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Autologous rhinoplasty is widely popular for its safety and naturalness, but material selection and procedure design must also be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician. Reasonable matching of autologous tissue and combination of the patient's anatomical characteristics and aesthetic needs are the key to ensuring stable and beautiful postoperative results. Patients seeking beauty should consult a doctor in detail before surgery to understand the intraoperative risks and recovery process, and avoid blindly pursuing results while ignoring the nature of the surgery and the degree of matching with their own conditions.