Cartilage recycling in rhinoplasty: polydioxanone foil as an absorbable biomechanical scaffold.
BACKGROUND
Primary and secondary rhinoplasty often requires multiple cartilage grafts. Polydioxanone foil may be used as a temporary biomechanical scaffold on which routinely discarded cartilage fragments can be assembled to make maximal use of harvested material.


METHODS
The authors performed an outcome analysis of 58 primary and secondary rhinoplasties in which polydioxanone foil was used in combination with autologous cartilage for aesthetic and valvular reconstruction of the nose. Graft performance, complications, and technical points are reported.


RESULTS
The temporary scaffold (polydioxanone foil) was used most often to construct columellar struts, septal extension grafts, and alar battens. Other uses included revision septoplasty and upper lateral replacement grafts. Two minor complications occurred: one infection and one partial extrusion. The long-term stability of the nose following this technique was found to be satisfactory (mean follow-up, 18 months), for both structural and aesthetic purposes.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique is both simple and effective. By making maximal use of otherwise discarded cartilage fragments, it protects other graft harvest sites and decreases the incidence of the "graft-depleted" patient.
James
Stuart E
SE
London, United Kingdom From the Craniofacial Surgery Department, The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Kelly
Martin H
MH
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016687:Polydioxanone; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016687:Polydioxanone