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

Abstract

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.