Prevention and treatment of the complications of autograft rib rhinoplasty

Objective To discuss the prevention and treatment of the complications of rib rhinoplasty in Chinese. Methods A total of 209 patients received rib rhinoplasty in which postoperative complications happened in 14 cases from Jan. 2010 to Aug. 2017, and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Results 195 patients showed satisfactory results and no complications. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 cases. There were 12 cases of rib cartilage warping (incidence rate was 5.7%). 4 cases were thought that warping was within acceptable range, and 8 cases had satisfactory results after the secondary repair surgery. There were 3 cases of resorption of rib cartilage (incidence rate was 1.4%), of which 2 cases were complicated with cartilage warping and 1 case complicated with infection. None of them underwent repair surgery. The infection complicated with cartilage resorption was 1 case (0.5%). The infection was improved by conservative treatment and the cartilage was not removed. There was 1 case of hypertropic scar on chest wall (incidence rate was 0.5%). Conclusions The warping of cartilage can be significantly reduced by selecting straight section of costal cartilage, preserving the central costal cartilage grafts, symmetrically carving and crosscutting. Meanwhile, sterility and accurate operation can decrease the incidence of infection, aerothorax and scars. Key words: Nose; Surgery, plastic; Costal cartilage; Transplantation, autologous; Postoperative complications