There are two main reasons that people choose rhinoplasty over ear cartilage. First, ear cartilage does not change the appearance of the ear. Secondly, ear cartilage removal does not leave any visible scars on the ear after surgery. And finally, it is less painful than rhinoplasty. Lastly, ear cartilage removal can help you achieve a perfect tip without having to use an anesthetic.
Ear cartilage is a flexible but sturdy tissue. Therefore, the surgeon can harvest it from the back of the ear. There are two ways to harvest ear cartilage; the anterior approach is usually preferred. Each of these approaches requires different donor cartilage parts, and the surgeon can use a different combination of donor and recipient cartilage. During the surgery, the patient does not notice any visible changes. But the surgeon must carefully plan the procedure to minimize risk.
An autologous ear cartilage graft is another option. Since the auricular cartilage is closer to the nose, the surgeon can harvest it more easily than rib cartilage. This means a shorter recovery time. Another drawback is that it can result in an irregular ear contour, although this is rare. The surgeon can minimize this by using good surgical techniques. If you opt for a cartilage graft, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with your doctor.
The septum is a wall of bone and cartilage that separates the two nasal cavities on the inside. An expert surgeon can remove a small piece of septal cartilage and use it to augment or reshape another part of the nose. However, this technique is more commonly used on Caucasian patients because it tends to be less developed in Asian patients. And they often do not have enough cartilage to harvest.
