Crushed Septal Cartilage Graft in Rhinoplasty and Nasal Septal Surgery: Clinical Outcomes and Complications

Objectives: To assess clinical outcomes and complications with the use of crushed septal cartilage graft in rhinoplasty and nasal septal surgery. Method: A prospective clinical study has done at a tertiary referral centre included 32 patients who underwent crushed cartilage grafting during rhinoplasty and nasal septal surgery with autogenous septal cartilage as the graft material. Slight or moderately crushed septal cartilage grafts were used to augment nasal dorsum, nasal tip and for septal correction. Photographic and endoscopic assessment was done preoperatively and postoperatively at 10th day, 1, 3 and 6 months to assess clinical outcomes and complications including graft resorption, warping, extrusion and any postoperative deformity. Result: Among 32 patients, 19 underwent rhinoplasty and rest 13 nasal septal correction. Complications encountered were postoperative deformity in 3 patients of rhinoplasty and persistent septal deviation in 2 patients of septoplasty. There was no graft resorption, rejection, or extrusion. Conclusion: Crushed cartilage appears to be a good graft material to conceal nasal irregularities and fill nasal dorsal defects in rhinoplasty and to obtain good functional outcomes in septoplasty.