Tragal cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty: A viable alternative in the graft-depleted patient

Objective: To describe a simple technique for harvesting tragal cartilage and describe its use in rhinoplasty. Study Design: Retrospective review. Subjects and Methods: Rhinoplasties performed between January 2005 and June 2007 in which tragal cartilage grafts were utilized by the senior author (CSC) were reviewed to assess type of graft, preservation of tragal contour, and donor-site morbidity. Results: Tragal cartilage grafts were used in three primary and three secondary rhinoplasty patients. Postoperative follow-up ranged from six months to 12 months. Tragal cartilage was used as five alar contour grafts, one lateral crural onlay graft, one dorsal onlay graft, and one infratip lobule graft. Tragal cartilage was used to close the septal perforation of one patient. Tragal contour was preserved in all patients, and there were no complications noted with this procedure. Conclusion: The tragus provides a simple, convenient alternative source of cartilage for rhinoplasty in graft-depleted patients.