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Autologous costal cartilage bested irradiated homologous costal cartilage in rhinoplasty

Autologous costal cartilage rhinoplasty was associated with improved aesthetic outcomes and less resorption than irradiated homologous costal cartilage, according to recent findings.

For the retrospective study, researchers compared surgical and histologic outcomes in a cohort of 63 patients who underwent rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage (ACC) and 20 patients who underwent rhinoplasty using irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC).

Eligible participants underwent procedures from Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2014.

Resorption occurred in just 3% of patients undergoing ACC compared with 30% of patients treated with IHCC (P = .002).

Patients in the ACC group demonstrated a 73% subjective aesthetic satisfaction rate, compared to 30% of those in the IHCC group (P = .001). For objective aesthetic outcomes, all scores for both surgical procedures were higher than 3.1, which the researchers noted were in the range between good and excellent.

For functional outcomes, however, the rates were not significantly different, with 8% of patients in the ACC group and 25% of those in the IHCC group reporting that they were satisfied. Eighty-eight percent of those in the ACC group and 75% of those in the IHCC group were very satisfied (P = .15).

Larger and more evenly distributed uniform chondrocytes were observed in ACC compared with IHCC, according to histologic findings. Histologic analysis also revealed more collagens and proteoglycan contents in ACC compared with IHCC. – by Rob Volansky

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.