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Recognize complications, counsel patients preoperatively in autologous costal rhinoplasty

Autologous costal rhinoplasty is a safe and effective procedure, but researchers warn surgeons that potentially significant rates of minor recipient site complications can occur.

Researchers searched EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for studies evaluating rates of complications with autologous costal cartilage grafting in rhinoplasty and identified 21 studies to include in the analysis.

Overall, pooled donor site complication incidence was pneumothorax (0.1%), pleural tear (0.6%), infection (0.6%), seroma (0.6%), scar-related problems (2.9%) and severe donor site pain (0.2%).

Overall recipient site complications included warping (5.2%), infection (2.5%), displacement/extrusion (0.6%), graft fracture (0.2%) and graft resorption (0.9%).

The only serious complication noted for donor site was pneumothorax, which occurred in two cases.

One case of severe persistent chest pain was found.

Scarring was the most common long-term donor site complication, occurring in 45 cases.

Warping was the most significant recipient site complication.

The researchers found no incidence of chest wall deformities and scoliosis, which can potentially occur in autologous costal cartilage in rhinoplasty. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.