Lower eyelid retraction repair using autologous auricular scapha cartilage.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of lower eyelid retraction surgery utilizing autologous auricular scapha cartilage (located within the anterior surface groove between the helix and anti-helix) and to present the surgical outcomes in a patient cohort. METHODS: Medical records of 21 patients who underwent lower eyelid retraction surgery with scapha cartilage were retrospectively reviewed. Retractions, present for an extended duration (6 months to 20 years), exhibited 1 mm or more inferior scleral show, attributed to prior lower eyelid blepharoplasty, facial palsy, or as a normal anatomical variation. Surgical interventions included lateral canthotomy, cantholysis, incision of the subtarsal conjunctiva-lower eyelid retractors, lower eyelid retractor lysis, cartilage graft suturing to the defect area without conjunctival cover, and tightening of the lateral canthal corner in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 29 eyelids in 21 patients underwent surgery without intraoperative complications. Over a mean follow-up period of 11 months (range: 6-30 months), lower lid retraction improved in 96.5% of eyelids. Postoperative margin-to-reflex distance measurements (MRD2) significantly decreased compared to preoperative values (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). Average improvements in MRD2-a (midpupil to lower lid) and MRD2-b (lateral limbus to lower lid) were 1.77 ± 0.80 and 2.04 ± 0.81, respectively (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). Four eyelids (4/29) required revision due to canthal corner loosening, with correction necessitating periosteal flaps. All four patients had previously undergone two or more repairs elsewhere. The graft was visible in two lids but did not require further revision. One patient experienced mild helix deformity at the donor site, which did not warrant additional intervention. CONCLUSION: In cases of lower lid retraction associated with middle/posterior lamellar shortening, utilizing an autologous auricular scapha cartilage spacer graft offers notable benefits. These advantages comprise straightforward harvesting with minimal donor site complications, stability without experiencing shrinkage, a softer texture in comparison to posterior cartilage, a concave shape that facilitates proper fitting on the globe, and its autologous nature.

Injectable Cartilage Microtissue Regenerated by Autologous Chondrocytes for Nasal Augmentation: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: A lack of ideal filling materials is a critical limitation in current rhinoplasty. Cartilage sheet regeneration by autologous chondrocytes is expected to provide an ideal source of material. However, the inability to perform minimally invasive transplantation of cartilage sheets has greatly limited the clinical application of this material. In this article, the authors propose the concept of injectable cartilage microtissue (ICM) based on cartilage sheet technology, with the aim of achieving minimally invasive augmentation rhinoplasty in clinical practice. METHODS: Approximately 1.0 cm2 of posterior auricular cartilage was collected from 28 patients. Isolated chondrocytes were expanded, then used to construct autologous cartilage sheets by high-density seeding and in vitro culture in chondrogenic medium with cytokines (eg, transforming growth factor beta-1 and insulin-like growth factor-1) for 3 weeks. Next, ICM was prepared by granulation of the cartilage sheets; it was then injected into a subcutaneous pocket for rhinoplasty. RESULTS: ICM was successfully prepared in all patients, and its implantation efficiently raised the nasal dorsum. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that regenerative tissue was present at the injection site; histologic examinations demonstrated mature cartilage formation with typical cartilage lacunae and abundant cartilage-specific deposition of extracellular matrix. Excellent or good postoperative patient satisfaction results were achieved in 83.3% of patients over 5 years of follow-up. Obvious absorption of grafts occurred in only two patients (8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that ICM could facilitate stable cartilage regeneration and long-term maintenance in the human body; the implantation of ICM enabled natural augmentation of the depressed nasal dorsum. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Histological assessment of microtia cartilage, a potential source of autograft tissue in ear reconstruction.

Cartilage is a strong and flexible connective tissue that has many forms and functions in our body. While cartilage exhibits some forms of limited repair, for the most part, it is not particularly regenerative. Thus, in situations where patients require cartilage reconstruction, surgeons may use autografts to replace missing or damaged tissue. Cartilage tissues from different regions of the body exhibit histological differences and are in limited supply. Thus, it is important to characterize these differences to determine the most appropriate autograft source. In the case of microtia, a congenital deformity where the pinna is underdeveloped, reconstruction commonly utilizes cartilage sourced from a patient's own costal cartilage. This presents a potential morbidity risk. In this study, we evaluate the histological characteristics of microtia cartilage compared with normal auricular and costal cartilage obtained from human patients undergoing surgical resection. Histochemistry was used to evaluate cellularity, lipid content, and ECM content. Using a Bayesian statistical approach, we determined that while costal cartilage is the standard tissue donor, the microanatomy of microtia cartilage more closely reflects normal auricular cartilage than costal cartilage. Therefore, microtia cartilage may serve as an additional reservoir for cartilage during reconstruction.

New Method Using Local Affected Cartilage and Flap for the Cleft in Question Mark Ear.

BACKGROUND: As a rare auricular deformity, despite numerous surgical procedures for correcting moderate-to-severe question mark ears described in past studies, there remains a need to explore a more cost-effective approach. The optimal utilization of ear cartilage and surrounding skin while achieving superior outcomes continues to pose a significant challenge. METHODS: From 2018 to 2023, twenty-four patients with unilateral question mark ear were enrolled in this study. Seven of them were severe type deformities (absence of lower part of auricle), and seventeen were moderate (only cleft between helix and lobule). All patients were treated with new method using local cartilage and flap without damage in unaffected area. RESULTS: All patients were satisfied with significant improvement of question mark ear and the overall symmetrical appearance. The surgical scar was not obvious. No complications were observed. The follow-up period revealed that the corrective procedure kept producing the symmetrical and cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: Our new method enables optimal utilization of deformed tissue and surrounding skin, rendering this method effective and reliable for correcting moderate-to-severe question mark ears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Snake-shaped ePTFE nasal tip graft combined with conchal cartilage in Asian rhinoplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lacking a nasal tip projection is a common deformity of Asian nasals. Various commonly used nasal tip grafts require dissecting septal perichondrium, most of them are autologous cartilage with a nonintegrated design. A snake-shaped expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) nasal tip graft is an integrated, stable tip graft without any additional assembly and splicing, conforming to the nasal anatomy characteristics of Asians. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on Asian patients who underwent rhinoplasty in the nasal tip at Peking University Third Hospital from 2015 to 2022. Nasal tip grafts were categorized into three groups: snake-shaped ePTFE combined with conchal cartilage (n = 15), only costal cartilage (n = 25), and only conchal cartilage (n = 17). Patients were excluded if their rhinoplasty did not involve any of the grafts above. Visual Analogue Scale, FACE-Q Nose, FACE-Q Nostril, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale, and Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation scale were used to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative results. RESULTS: Fifty-three (93.0%) cases had low nasal dorsum and 46 (80.7%) cases had short nose. There was no significant difference in complication rates among the three groups. The difference between preoperative and postoperative scale scores was statistically significant among the three groups (p < 0.05). Score improvements, including all scales, were the highest in the costal cartilage group and lowest in the conchal cartilage group. CONCLUSIONS: Snake-shaped ePTFE nasal tip grafts can be an effective integrated alternative that provides long-term safety and efficacy compared with traditional autogenous implants (conchal and costal cartilages).

A Novel Ear Cartilage Caudal Septal Extension Graft.

In cases of weak or deficient caudal septum, the caudal septum extension graft (CSEG) is the most commonly used reconstructive method. In the current study we introduce a newly-designed conchal cartilage CSEG and evaluate its cosmetic and functional outcomes. The graft has an average length of 3 ± 0.3 cm and composed of a distal double-layered part, which is 3 to 4 mm wide and a proximal single-layered part, which is 1.2 to 1.7 cm wide. The graft design allows the proximal single-layered part to be fixed on either sides of the caudal septum while keeping the distal double-layered segment in the midline. The study included 230 patients, of which 83% were revisions, all patients completed a validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. The PROMs used were either the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) survey or the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). During the mean follow-up period of 18.2 months (range: 9-192 months) no serious complications were encountered and only six cases (2.3%) required minor revisions of the CSEG.Using the proposed conchal cartilage, CSEG resulted in an improved cosmetic and functional outcome as evidenced by the significant postoperative improvement in the NOSE, SCHNOS-O, and SCHNOS-C scores with a p-value <0.001, <0.05, and <0.0001, respectively. The graft provided adequate tensile strength and support to the nasal tip, which resulted in improved tip projection, rotation, definition, and symmetry, while maintaining a degree of flexibility and elasticity which is much more than that of the rib or even the septum thus resulting in the most natural feel of the nasal tip lobule.

A Modified Technique in Rhinoplasty: A Septal Extension Graft Complex Using Septal Cartilage, Ethmoid Bone, and Auricular Cartilage.

BACKGROUND: Due to the small and weak septal cartilage of Asians, it is a challenge to obtain ideal tip projection and nose lengthening in this population by performing septal extension grafts with only septal cartilage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to introduce a septal extension graft complex incorporating nasal septal cartilage, the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, and bilateral auricular cartilage, and to examine its effectiveness in terms of morphological and mechanical support. METHODS: Septal cartilage was harvested under an endoscope according to standard techniques. Two pieces of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, placed on either side of the "L" strut, served as 2 spreader grafts. A double layer of auricular cartilage was fixed as columellar strut grafts. Three-dimensional facial scanning was used to examine the change of 3 parameters. Nasal tip resistance was evaluated by a digital Newton meter. RESULTS: In total, 25 patients were followed up postoperatively for a mean of 25.9 months. The analysis showed significant differences in both contour parameters and nasal resistance: nasal length (mean [standard deviation], 41.4 [4.0] vs 46.2 [3.4] mm, P < 0.05) and nasal tip projection (21.3 [3.2] vs 24.4 [2.7] mm, P < 0.05) appeared to increase postoperatively, whereas nasolabial angle (117.6° [5.9°] vs 109.5° [5.3°], P < 0.05) showed a significant decrease after surgery. The resistance of the nasal tip also increased significantly (P < 0.05) at displacements of 1, 2, and 3 mm. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results, and no serious complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This kind of modified septal extension graft technique can effectively adjust nasal morphology for short-nose East Asians.

Auricular Cartilage Graft for Lengthening Levator Muscle Aponeurosis With Ectropion Correction for Paralytic Lagophthalmos.

BACKGROUND: Paralytic lagophthalmos can have devastating consequences for vision if left untreated. Several surgical techniques have been described, including the utilization of alloplastic and autologous materials. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the surgical treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos with combined techniques employing autologous material and involving the upper and lower eyelids. METHODS: Patients with paralytic lagophthalmos underwent stretching of the levator aponeurosis with interposition of conchal cartilage in the upper eyelid associated with sectioning of the orbitomalar ligament and lateral canthoplasty in the lower eyelid. The effectiveness of the technique was evaluated employing subjective (symptomatology) and objective parameters (ophthalmologic evaluation and measurements of lagophthalmos and marginal reflex distances 1 and 2). RESULTS: Eight patients with paralytic lagophthalmos were subjected to the proposed technique. In the postoperative period, 85.7% reported complete improvement of symptoms and 62.5% presented a normal eye examination. The mean lagophthalmos measurement was reduced by 5.93 mm, the mean marginal reflex distance 2 was reduced by 2.61 mm, and the mean marginal reflex distance 1 was reduced by 0.69 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The technique presented herein, employing autologous material associated with sectioning of the orbitomalar ligament and lateral canthoplasty, was effective in the treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos and did not present significant complications, such as extrusion.

Biological Changes of Autologous Auricular Cartilage in Rhinoplasty.

Autologous auricular cartilage is used extensively as a good graft material in rhinoplasty. In this study, clinical specimens from patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty with auricular cartilage grafts were collected to compare the changes before and after auricular cartilage transplantation with the use of histologic, immunohistochemical, and quantitative assays. Patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. Fresh auricular cartilage left after surgery and auricular cartilage graft tissue were examined and compared. Compared with fresh auricular cartilage, local fibrosis was seen in the transplanted auricular cartilage with a slight decrease in elastic fibers, type II collagen, and extracellular matrix secretion. Quantitative assays showed a decrease in glycosaminoglycan, DNA, and total collagen content in the transplanted auricular cartilage tissue. The results of the study suggest that the histologic characteristics, cell functionality, and biochemical composition of the grafted cartilage changed to a certain extent after autologous auricular cartilage graft rhinoplasty. These results provide insights into the selection of graft/filler materials for rhinoplasty and what changes to expect.

Application of septal extension grafts with auricular cartilage in rhinoplasty. / 耳廓软骨鼻中隔延伸支架移植物在鼻整形术中的应用.

OBJECTIVES: Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in China. Septal extension grafts (SEG) have been widely used in rhinoplasty, but there are few reports on SEG derived from ear cartilage. This study aims to explore the effectiveness and stability of auricular cartilage nasal SEG transplantation in Chinese rhinoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 35 rhinoplasty patients admitted from September 2019 to March 2022 has been conducted. Among them, 29 patients underwent rhinoplasty for the first time and 6 patients underwent rhinoplasty with the age of 18-32 (average 22.4) years old. The postoperative follow-up was 3-28 (average 18.5) months. The improvement of the nose shape was observed. The changes of the nose tip angle, nasolabial angle, and nasofrontal angle were compared between before and after the operation, and the complications were recorded. RESULTS: All patients who underwent rhinoplasty with a septal extension grafts constructed from the concha cavity and concha cartilage showed significant improvement in nasal contour. The preoperative nasal tip angle, nasolabial angle, and nasofrontal angle were significantly improved compared with 3 months after operation (all P<0.001), and there was no significant difference between 3 months and 14 months after operation (all P>0.05). The appearance of nasal cavity was satisfactory in 32 patients after operation. Columella deviation occurred in 2 patients and 1 patient complained of downward rotation of the nasal tip, which was satisfied after readjustment of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified SEG derived from auricular cartilage can provide stable support for the nasal tip, the nasal shape is natural after operation, and minimal trauma of unilateral auricle cartilage transplantation remains.

Surgical Techniques Following Free Cartilage Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of surgical defects with free cartilage grafts poses unique challenges. OBJECTIVES: To characterize surgical techniques following free cartilage grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was performed using the Embase, PubMed Medline, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov , and Web of Science databases from inception to May 21, 2021. Studies describing free cartilage grafts harvested from the ear or nose under local anesthesia, specifically for reconstruction of facial surgical defects, were selected for inclusion. Only surgical defects resulting from tumor resection were included. RESULTS: In total, 34 studies involving 713 patients with 723 surgical defects met inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 63.3 ± 10.4 years. Free cartilage grafts were most commonly harvested from the ear (93.1%). The most common recipient site was the nose (90.3%), followed by the lower eyelid (6.7%) and ear (3.0%). CONCLUSION: Free cartilage grafts are an effective reconstructive option for patients with deep or cartilaginous defects that have compromised structural support on the nose, ear, or eyelid.

[interest of scaphal cartilage grafting or ulnar proximal bone graft, under the olecranium, in secondary nose repair]. / Intérêt des Greffons de scapha ou du greffon de facette cubitale(ulna)sous olécrânien dans les rhinoplasties secondaires.

The proper use of scaphal ear cartilaginous autograft or ulnar bone lateral side under the olecranium, on the postero-médial flat wall covered by muscle, may be an innovative way for secondary nasal repair or reconstruction.These techniques are not well popularised, but they may represent a good solution in complicated cases when straighter cartilage than the concha, or a planar bone graft easy to take out, are considered; this may be the case mostly in secondary noses surgery;These techniques are also easy to perform because the position to take the grafts is very easy, the donor site is under the operative field; the observed complications have been few and the results were rewarding.

Auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid reconstruction.

Full-thickness deficiency of eyelid tissues can result in coloboma or retraction or both. Here we report our initial experience on the use of auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid deformities. Five patients (4-32 years) underwent the procedure. Patients with full-thickness eyelid deformity were included. Three patients were operated for large-sized coloboma and two for eyelid retraction. One patient had congenital, and four patients had acquired etiology. The following parameters were specifically assessed: correction of deformity, ocular surface problems, graft status, and epithelization of skin-cartilage graft. All the patients had a good correction of eyelid position, except one patient who had severe eyelid retraction (8 mm) at presentation. None of our patients had corneal erosion/defect, persistent ocular surface redness, or graft loss. The auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique produces optimal results with no graft loss. Advancement of orbicularis muscle in between the auricular skin and cartilage grafts (sandwich technique) is an imperative step that leads to the survival of both grafts.

Effect of Stromal Vascular Fractions on Angiogenesis of Injected Diced Cartilage.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the effect of adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) on angiogenesis in injected autologous diced cartilage. METHODS: Stromal vascular fractions were extracted by enzymatic digestion. Cartilage grafts were harvested from 1 side of the auricular cartilage of New Zealand rabbit and then diced to a size of 1.0 mm3. The grafts were divided into 2 groups. The control group was diced cartilage mixed with culture medium, and the experimental group was diced cartilage mixed with SVFs. The 2 groups of composite grafts were subcutaneously implanted on both sides of the back of each rabbit. After 4, 12 and 24 weeks, the tissue structure, number of blood vessels, and angiogenic factors in the grafts were observed. RESULTS: The SVFs conformed to the current standard of the biological evaluation. Under an inverted microscope, the number of layers of chondrocytes in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 4 weeks. A small number of inflammatory cells and blood vessels were observed around the cartilage grafts. At 12 and 24 weeks, the volume of tissue was increased gradually by general observation. And a large number of chondrocytes were observed microscopically, whereas the number of inflammatory cells decreased. And meanwhile additional new blood vessels were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD31 showed that the number of capillaries in the control group was significantly lower than that in the experimental group at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Further, the expression of Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western bloting, respectively. The results showed that the mRNA expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in the experimental group was increased. The mRNA level remained higher than that of the control group at 24 weeks (P < 0.05). And the relative expression levels of VEGF and HIF-1α protein in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group at 4, 12 and 24 weeks (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Autologous diced cartilage mixed with adipose-derived SVFs can promote angiogenesis when transplanted by injection. Further research showed that SVFs could increase the expression levels of VEGF and HIF-1α in the grafts, which may be part of the mechanism that SVFs promoted the angiogenesis of diced cartilage.

The Use of Autologous and Cadaveric Grafts in Rhinoplasty: A Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Both autologous and cadaveric grafts are often used during rhinoplasty to create volume and provide support. Despite discussion in the literature comparing the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and complication rates between grafting options, it remains unclear which is the superior choice when considering availability, donor site morbidity, and cost. There is a little description of the current use of these materials amongst facial plastic surgeons. METHODS: A 12 question survey was created, and IRB approval was obtained. The survey was distributed to practicing members of the AAFPRS via their membership listserv. RESULTS: 178 respondents completed the survey for an overall response rate of 17.5%. The most common rhinoplasty graft types used by respondents were autologous septal cartilage (96.6%), autologous auricular grafts (93.8%), autologous rib graft (ARG) (75.8%), and cadaveric rib graft (CRG) (56.7%). Patient comorbidities and performing more than 50 rhinoplasties per year were positively correlated with use of CRG grafts and concerns about complications and cost were negatively correlated. CONCLUSIONS: While autologous septal and auricular cartilage remain the most common graft choices amongst surveyed facial plastic surgeons, a majority utilize cadaveric rib grafts in their practice. Patient comorbidities, surgery volume, concerns about graft complications, and cost were the chief factors associated with use of cadaveric grafts amongst survey respondents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Endoscopic modified perichondrium-cartilage sandwich graft for repairing chronic subtotal and total perforations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was evaluate the short-and long-term graft outcome and complications of endoscopic modified perichondrium-cartilage sandwich graft for repairing chronic subtotal and total perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 135 patients with chronic subtotal and total perforations who underwent endoscopic modified perichondrium-cartilage sandwich graft technique. The graft success rate, hearing outcome, and complications were evaluated at postoperative 6 and 24 months. RESULTS: 124 patients were finally included in this study. The graft success rate was 96.3% in subtotal perforation and 97.7% in total perforation (P = 0.874), with an overall success rate of 96.8% at postoperative 6 months. The graft success rate was 95.8% (68/71) in subtotal perforation and 94.9% (37/39) in total perforation (P = 0.795), with an overall success rate of 95.5% (105/110) at postoperative 24 months. The mean ABG improved from 28.0 ± 5.3 dB preoperatively to 14.9 ± 4.8 dB postoperatively 12 months (P < 0.05) for subtotal perforations; from 33.4 ± 7.4 dB preoperatively to 16.1 ± 2.4 dB postoperatively 12 months (P < 0.05) for total perforations. No graft-related complications (e.g., graft lateralization, significant blunting, graft medialization) were encountered during the follow-up period. Of the 110 patients, temporal bone CT revealed well pneumatization of the middle ear and mastoid region. However, graft keratin pearl was noticed in 1.8% (2/110) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic modified perichondrium-cartilage sandwich graft for repairing subtotal and total perforations had excellent short and long-term graft success rate with less time-consuming and minimal complications.

Sliced vs crushed cartilage for camouflage: long-term graft survival and histological outcomes.

PURPOSE: In this study, we proposed a "sliced-partial thickness cartilage graft" for nasal contour restoration purposes and compared the long-term graft survival and histological changes of sliced, crushed, and intact cartilage grafts. METHODS: Nasal septal and auricular cartilage grafts were harvested from 8 rabbits. Sliced, crushed, or intact cartilage grafts were measured in thickness with a micrometer and re-implanted. 4 months later, specimens were histologically evaluated and thickness were measured. RESULTS: Both nasal septal and auricular crushed cartilage lost significantly more chondrocytes than sliced samples together with fibrosis, multiple fracture lines, and even ossification. Sliced and intact cartilages were histologically similar except sliced cartilage had some minor changes limited to its cut surface. Sliced cartilages retained their thickness, histology, and structural properties in the long term similar to intact cartilages whereas -contrary to expectations- crushed specimens had significantly higher thickness measurements at the end of 4 months. CONCLUSION: Sliced cartilage grafts prepared with an atraumatic cartilage slicer are an ideal camouflaging material with its uniform thickness, and malleability. Crushed cartilages seemingly getting thicker without histological findings could be explained by lower than actual initial measurements due to its structural weakness and getting squeezed when the standard pressure of the micrometer was applied.