Generative surgery of cultured autologous auricular chondrocytes for nasal augmentation.

BACKGROUND

Conventional treatment for nasal augmentation utilizes autologous grafts, allografts, or synthetic implants such as silicon implants. Silicon implants could protrude/expose or induce nasal bone resorption. Autologous grafts are usually associated with donor site morbidity and the volume of harvested tissue is limited. We had developed a new method for nasal augmentation using cultured autologous chondrocytes (CAC). The current report presents the results of a study using that method with a larger number of patients and an improved graft technique for the nasal tip.

METHODS

Approximately 1 cm2 of cartilage was harvested from the auricular concha and treated with collagenase, and then chondrocytes were obtained. In our multilayer culture system the chondrocytes formed immature cartilaginous tissues with a gelatinous chondroid matrix. They were injection-grafted into the subcutaneous pocket of the nasal dorsum.

RESULTS

The chondrocytes with a gelatinous chondroid matrix change from a soft gel to hard neocartilage tissue within 2 to 3 weeks and then stabilize. The authors have used this procedure over a 6-year period on 75 cases: 58 secondary augmentation rhinoplasties following silicon implantation and 17 primary augmentation cases. The results have been satisfactory and long-lasting.

CONCLUSION

Grafting of CAC is an optional method for nasal augmentation and could be used for a wide range of facial augmentation cases.