First rhinoplasties often rely on silicone; revision rhinoplasty usually tells a different materials story. Scarred tissue, contracture risk and depleted septum push surgeons toward autologous cartilage, tissue from your own body. JW Plastic Surgery in Sinsa, Seoul explains the three main cartilage sources and the logic behind choosing each.
Septal cartilage: first choice, often already used
Cartilage from the nasal septum is straight, firm and in the same surgical field, which makes it the natural first choice. The catch in revision: the previous surgery often already harvested it. A CT scan or intraoperative assessment reveals how much usable septum remains; when depleted, the plan moves to ear or rib without compromise in principle, only in source.
Ear cartilage: soft curves for the tip
Conchal cartilage from the ear is naturally curved and soft, excellent for tip refinement, shield grafts and covering irregularities, and the donor site hides invisibly behind the ear. Its limits are structural: it lacks the straight strength to rebuild a bridge or support a severely contracted short nose. Ear cartilage is the finisher, rarely the framework.
Rib cartilage: the structural reserve
For major reconstruction, such as a contracted short nose, collapsed bridge or multiple failed surgeries, rib cartilage offers unmatched quantity and strength. Harvested through a small chest incision, it can rebuild the entire support framework. Surgeons manage its known warping tendency with balanced carving and, in selected cases, consider donor rib as an alternative. Recovery adds chest-site soreness for one to two weeks.
JW Plastic Surgery’s nose revision program selects graft sources after reviewing your surgical history and CT, and consults international patients. If your septum was used in a previous operation, ask specifically about ear versus rib planning; that choice shapes the whole revision.