The role of septal cartilage in rhinoplasty: Cadaveric analysis and assessment of graft selection

Abstract

Background: In addition to providing nearly 50% of total airway resistance via the internal valve, the nasal septum provides support for the cartilaginous portion of the nasal dorsum, and it is responsible for determining the projection of the nasal tip. In modern rhinoplasty, septal cartilage plays an important role as a donor graft material.Objectives: The authors evaluate the anatomy of nasal septal cartilage, identifying variations according to certain regions of the septum and proposing a correlation between the topography and morphology of septal cartilage and graft choice.Methods: An anatomical study was performed on 14 fresh adult cadavers. The excised septal cartilage was placed on grid paper; digital images were taken; all septal cartilage was divided into nine equivalent quadrants; and quantitative measurements for length, height, and area were calculated and compared. Statistical significance was set at P