Rib cartilage effective in rhinoplasty grafting

Houston — Researchers at the University of Texas Medical School say cartilage from a patient’s own ribs may be the most effective grafting material for rhinoplasty procedures, news source Zenopa.com reports.

In an article in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, researchers write that of 357 patients who underwent rhinoplasty using cartilage taken from the ribs, 94.2 percent said they were satisfied with the results. No allergic reactions were reported.

Investigators say study results show rib cartilage to be safe and effective and that it “should be considered as an alternative or even a primary grafting material” in rhinoplasy procedures. A patient’s own cartilage is often too thin or inadequate to suffice, but researchers believe that cartilage taken from the ribs may provide the solution.