Combination of Autologous Costal Cartilage Harvest for Rhinoplasty and Breast Augmentation Through the Same Incision: Experience in a Vietnam Population and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Concomitant rhinoplasty and breast augmentation are not rare these days because of high aesthetic demands. Costal cartilage harvested through breast surgery incision could be a convenient choice for rhinoplasty, which possibly prevents scarring from multiple incisions. A modified procedure of costal cartilage harvested using simple surgical tools for the concurrence of rhinoplasty and breast augmentation was applied in our hospital. This study aims to share our experience with this approach and its efficacy and safety profile.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study that collected data on healthy patients who underwent breast augmentation and rhinoplasty simultaneously using autologous costal cartilage from January 2019 to January 2024. Varied incisions, including inframammary fold, peri-areolar incision, or trans-areolar incision, were conducted to harvest costal cartilage for rhinoplasty. Data relating to patients, surgery, aesthetic assessments, and postoperative complications were retrieved.

RESULTS

A total of 114 female patients (31.4 ± 0.65 years) were included in this study. IMF incision approach made up the majority. Time for costal cartilage harvest was about 15 min, and total surgical time was 290-370 min (312.6 ± 1.71 min). Four cases (3.5%) developed keloids postoperatively. Three cases (2.63%) required revision surgery due to postoperative nasal deformity. No complication of pneumothorax, pericardial rupture, hematoma, or infection occurred postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

A low rate of complications and acceptable scarring suggested that the combination procedure applied simple tools for cartilage harvest, which was relatively safe to apply for patients who desired to perform these procedures at the same time.

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