Reviewing the Details of Rib Cartilage Nose Surgery

For more than 20 years, OJIKO N Plus has focused solely on your healthy and beautiful nose.

This time, we would like to explain rib cartilage nose surgery, which many people have been curious about.

When people think of rhinoplasty, they often expect that adding volume to the bridge of the nose can improve the overall image. In particular, because the nose is located at the center of the face and is one of the most three-dimensional features, even a small change in nose shape can have a significant effect on improving appearance. For that reason, it is one of the more popular cosmetic procedures. In general, the bridge is corrected with silicone and the tip with autologous cartilage, and among these materials, we would like to explain rib cartilage nose surgery.

Rib cartilage nose surgery is widely known as a material used in revision surgery, but these days it is also often used in primary nose surgery because of its strength and many advantages. Therefore, for those looking into rib cartilage nose surgery, cases may involve appearance-related concerns such as a nose that is too low, a bumpy hump, a crooked nose, an upturned nose, a drooping nose, or a bulbous nose. However, the nose is a functional organ responsible for breathing and smell, and the surgical method can differ depending on the individual’s condition even when the same material is used. That is why it is important to accurately assess both the external and internal structure of your nose and then perform the surgery suited to it.

Therefore, if you are looking into nose surgery, it is important not to judge based only on before-and-after photos, but also to pay attention to the materials and methods used in the operation. In typical rhinoplasty, the bridge can be corrected overall with silicone and the tip with autologous cartilage.

Autologous cartilage includes septal cartilage, ear cartilage, and autologous rib cartilage. Septal cartilage refers to the cartilage that acts as a partition dividing the two nostrils, while ear cartilage refers to the small cartilage located inside the ear. These two materials are usually the main ones used in rhinoplasty. Autologous rib cartilage is cartilage located in the ribs, and because it is large and sturdy, it was previously used mainly in revision surgery. However, nowadays it is also widely used in primary rhinoplasty when cartilage is insufficient or in cases of a small, upturned nose.

To explain rib cartilage nose surgery in a little more detail, behind our ribs is hard bone, and in the front is soft cartilage. That soft cartilage portion is called autologous rib cartilage. Because it is large and sturdy, it is a good material for surgery, as it can stabilize the shape of the nose and provide sufficient volume.

At OJIKO N Plus, in order to ensure safe and satisfying rib cartilage nose surgery, we accurately assess each person’s internal and external nasal condition through 3D-CT scans, internal endoscopy, various allergy tests, nasal function tests, and multi-angle photography before surgery. Based on the extracted data, we establish and proceed with a surgical plan.

As for the surgical approach to rib cartilage nose surgery, it is performed in the same way as general nose surgery, such as when only the bridge is low, when both the bridge and the tip are low, or when only the tip is low.

If only the bridge is low, volume can be added to the bridge using an implant or rib cartilage to improve the low bridge.

If both the bridge and the tip are low, the bridge can be given volume using a custom implant or rib cartilage, and the overall line can be corrected using rib cartilage or autologous cartilage at the tip.

If there is no issue with the bridge and only tip surgery is performed, rib cartilage or autologous cartilage can be grafted to the tip to correct the overall nasal line.

When silicone is needed, we do not use a pre-manufactured silicone product as is. Instead, we carefully trim it ourselves after considering various factors such as the patient’s overall image, as well as the width, length, breadth, and height of the nasal bridge, which helps achieve a more satisfying result.

Even though rib cartilage is an excellent material, if nose surgery is performed with only an aesthetic approach, there may be problems after surgery such as functional issues or dissatisfaction with the shape. Therefore, for those looking into rib cartilage nose surgery, it is helpful to carefully check whether the medical team has strong anatomical knowledge of the nose, whether they have sufficient experience and expertise, whether appropriate equipment is in place to accurately assess the condition of your nose, and whether post-operative care is fully guaranteed.

At OJIKO N Plus, Director Yoon Hyun-cheol personally handles everything one-on-one, from consultation related to nose surgery to surgical planning, execution, treatment, and follow-up care, allowing you to receive high-level medical service from before surgery through aftercare.

For aftercare, we provide a one-year warranty system after surgery, as well as a surgery responsibility guarantee system that covers all possible post-operative situations, including pain, inflammation, or dissatisfaction with the shape, so you can receive clear aftercare benefits even after the operation.

(The images above are before-and-after photos of rib cartilage nose surgery at OJIKO N Plus.)

I have explained the details related to rib cartilage nose surgery performed at OJIKO N Plus. I hope this article is very helpful for those who are looking into strong materials before rhinoplasty. Thank you.

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