Autologous rhinoplasty is a widely used cosmetic surgical technique. Its core is to use the patient's own tissue materials (such as ear cartilage, nasal septum cartilage, rib cartilage, etc.) to reshape the nose, so as to improve the nose shape, enhance the three-dimensional sense of the nose bridge and the overall facial coordination. Compared with allogeneic prosthetic rhinoplasty, autologous rhinoplasty has significant advantages in biocompatibility, postoperative naturalness and complication rate.
1. The basic principle of autologous rhinoplasty
The basic principle of autologous rhinoplasty is to obtain the body's own tissue as filling material and implant it into the nasal dorsum, nose tip and other parts to support and reshape the nose contour. These autologous tissues mainly include:
Ear cartilage : It is soft and easy to carve, and is often used to shape the tip of the nose.
Septal cartilage : It has a strong structure and is often used to extend the nose tip or construct a stent.
Costal cartilage : rich in content and strong in support, suitable for repairing severe nasal deformities or secondary rhinoplasty.
Since the material comes from the body itself, it can effectively reduce the risk of rejection, foreign body sensation and infection. At the same time, it can better integrate with the recipient tissue after implantation to form a stable and natural support structure.
2. Basis for the selection of autologous tissue materials
The selection of materials for autologous rhinoplasty requires comprehensive consideration of the patient's nose foundation, plastic surgery goals, and tissue conditions:
Ear cartilage is suitable for mild to moderate nose tip shaping because of its good flexibility, but weak load-bearing capacity and is not suitable for rebuilding the entire nose bridge structure.
The nasal septum cartilage has a certain supporting force and is suitable for nasal septum extension and slight shaping of the nose bridge. However, if the nasal septum is deviated or the tissue is thin, the material available is limited.
Costal cartilage is suitable for situations that require larger volume support or complex repairs, such as repair surgery after multiple failed rhinoplasty surgeries. It is available in sufficient quantity and has strong plasticity, but the harvesting process is complicated and requires high technical skills from the surgeon.
3. Surgical process and technical points
The surgery is generally divided into three key steps:
Tissue acquisition : According to the preoperative design, the required cartilage tissue is removed from behind the ear, nasal septum or ribs, and attention is paid to protecting the surrounding tissues to reduce postoperative scars.
Tissue carving and pretreatment : The removed cartilage is carved and trimmed according to the nasal design goals to ensure its match in form and function.
Tissue implantation and fixation : The prefabricated cartilage is implanted into the corresponding part and stabilized using delicate suturing or tunneling to ensure accurate, symmetrical and natural positioning.
Among them, the morphological design of cartilage and the tension control of the surgical area are the key to determining the naturalness and stability of the postoperative effect.
IV. Postoperative Recovery and Effect Evaluation
The recovery time after autologous rhinoplasty is generally 7-14 days. After the swelling period, the natural contour will gradually appear. Since the tissue is of its own origin, rejection reaction generally does not occur after the operation. However, you still need to be vigilant against rare complications such as infection, cartilage absorption, and deformation of the nose tip.
The effect evaluation can be carried out from the following aspects:
① Whether the height and lines of the nose bridge are natural;
② Whether the nose tip is soft and upright;
③ Whether the nose is in harmonious proportion with the overall face;
④. No obvious scars or abnormal touch.
5. Advantages and limitations of autologous rhinoplasty
Advantages :
High tissue compatibility : Because the material is taken from the body, it has strong biological adaptability and mild postoperative reactions.
Natural touch and shape : Especially at the tip of the nose, autologous cartilage can bring a visual and tactile experience that is closer to the natural nose shape.
Good long-term stability : After implantation, it can fuse with local tissues, reducing the risk of displacement or exposure.
limitation :
Sampling is traumatic : especially costal cartilage sampling requires cutting open the chest wall, the postoperative recovery period is long, and there is a risk of scarring.
High technical difficulty : The carving, implantation and fixation processes require precise operation, and the technical threshold is relatively high.
Some materials may be absorbed : For example, ear cartilage and nasal septum cartilage may be absorbed, so they need to be reasonably selected based on the patient's basic tissue conditions.
6. Comparison with prosthetic rhinoplasty
In terms of materials, prosthetic rhinoplasty often uses silicone, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and other materials. Although the operation is relatively simple and the supporting force is strong, there are risks such as displacement, rejection, and infection. Autologous rhinoplasty materials are natural in origin, have a high degree of fusion, and the postoperative stability and aesthetic performance are more natural.
In terms of indications, autologous rhinoplasty is more suitable for those who have high requirements for naturalness or those with allergic constitutions; prosthesis is suitable for situations with weak tissue foundation and the desired height increase. Composite rhinoplasty is also used in clinical practice to combine the advantages of the two types of materials to improve postoperative effects.
VII. Postoperative Care and Precautions
To ensure the recovery and effect of autologous rhinoplasty, postoperative care is particularly important:
① Avoid external pressure on the nose to prevent cartilage displacement;
② Avoid strenuous exercise and high temperature environment in the early period after surgery;
③. Keep the wound clean to prevent infection;
④. Regularly review and monitor tissue recovery and absorption.
In addition, the individual recovery process varies from person to person, and you need to wait patiently for the final effect to stabilize. In most cases, a more natural nose shape can be presented 3 months after the operation, and the effect will be finalized after 6-12 months.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Autologous rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery method that depends on individual conditions and the doctor's skills. Although it is relatively safe and natural, not all patients are suitable for this operation. Before the operation, a comprehensive evaluation and professional consultation should be conducted to clarify the expected results and make rational decisions. At the same time, choosing an experienced and technically skilled plastic surgeon is an important prerequisite for ensuring surgical safety and postoperative satisfaction.