Costal Cartilage Harvest Through a Small Incision in Asian Rhinoplasty After Breast Augmentation

Abstract

Background: The costal cartilage is widely used in rhinoplasty. Although different surgical methods of costal cartilage harvest have been developed, few studies have reported the method of costal cartilage harvest for patients after breast augmentation. This study aims to provide our experience of costal cartilage harvest through a small incision approach.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed for patients undergoing esthetic rhinoplasty with costal cartilage after breast augmentation between May 2019 and May 2021. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, and the scars at the donor site were assessed 1 year postoperatively with the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale.

Results: A total of 23 female patients were included. The average follow-up time was 21.4 months. No complications of massive bleeding, pleural injury, or breast implant injury during the surgery, wound dehiscence, or wound infection in the harvested site were observed. No patients complained of changes in breast morphology or breast asymmetry after costal cartilage harvest. Results of Visual Analog Scale for donor-site pain indicated pain in donor-site peaked at 12 hours after surgery and gradually decreased. All patients were satisfied with the scarring of the donor sites after surgery.

Conclusion: The better scar performance, low complication rates, and high satisfaction among patients suggest that this is a safe technique to harvest costal cartilage with a small incision in rhinoplasty for patients after breast augmentation.