Publication:

Satisfaction in rhinoplasty patients using costal and septal grafts: presentation of cases

Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures in plastic and reconstructive surgery, with both aesthetic and functional implications. The use of cartilaginous grafts has become a fundamental tool to achieve structural stability, nasal definition, and long-term support. However, evidence regarding the association between graft origin and patient-reported aesthetic satisfaction remains limited. A case series of 16 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with cartilaginous graft was conducted, classified according to the origin of the graft as costal (n=9) or septal (n=7). The median preoperative satisfaction score was 3.5 (IQR=6), rising to 7.5 (IQR=2) postoperatively, representing a statistically significant improvement (p=0.0007). Patients with costal graft showed a median postoperative satisfaction of 7 (IQR=5.5), while those with septal graft showed a median of 9 (IQR=2), with no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.2237). A descriptive tendency toward reduced nasal congestion and obstruction was also observed postoperatively.  Rhinoplasty with cartilaginous graft significantly improves patient aesthetic self-perception regardless of graft origin. No significant difference in postoperative satisfaction was found between costal and septal grafts. Future studies with larger samples and homogeneous graft combinations are needed.