• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2009

Purpose: Autogenous cartilage is generally first choice in rhinoplasty because of its biocompatibility and resistance to infection. On the other hand, allogeneous cartilage graft might preferred over an autogenous graft to avoid additional donor site scars, morbidity and lengthened operating time. Allogenous costal cartilage ($Tutoplast^{(R)}$) not only have the advantage of averting donor site morbidity but also are resistant to infection, resembling autogenous cartilage graft. We report here a technique for rhinoplasty by using allogenous costal cartilage graft. Methods: Through open rhinoplastic approach, alar cartilage is released from upper lateral cartilage and relocated caudally. After relocation of alar cartilage, allogenous costal cartilage is immobilized by nonabsorbable suture material at caudal aspect of septal cartilage. Caudal end of allogenous costal cartilage is sutured between medial crura of alar cartilage. Tip projection is improved by using interdormal suture, transdormal suture and shield-shape cartilage graft which is harvested from concha Results: No significant resorption and infection was detected in any of patients. Aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory. Conclusion: The low incidence of major complication and versatility of allogeneous costal cartilage graft make safe and reliable source of cartilage graft in rhinoplasty.