Rhinoplasty with Autologous Costal Cartilage

Q: Do you cut out a whole rib?

Only a portion of the cartilage is harvested, not the whole rib. Only as much as needed is used, so that function is barely affected.

About Rib Cartilage

What is Rib Cartilage Grafting?

What is autologous costal cartilage?

Autologous costal cartilage is a material harvested from the patient's own rib cartilage and used in rhinoplasty. Because it is the patient's own tissue, the burden of a foreign-body reaction is low, so it is widely used when an implant is difficult to use or when contracture or revision surgery is needed.

How it's used depends on the purpose. A block (strut) is firm and used for structural support — to raise the bridge or support the nose — while diced cartilage is finely chopped and used to soften and refine the surface contour. The two can be combined as needed.

Because cartilage is harvested from the rib, scarring and pain at the harvest site may remain. VVLY minimizes the incision and manages pain in parallel, but we fully explain in advance that recovery and scarring vary by individual.

VVLY Signature

BESPOCO^®

Bespoke + Nose — A nose that is uniquely yours

BESPOCO is VVLY's own custom rhinoplasty signature.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all implant, we analyze your facial bone structure and skin
to design a nose that exists nowhere else, using either a 3D-printed custom implant
or an autologous diced rib cartilage graft.

01

3D Custom Implant

Custom 3D Implant

After precisely scanning your nasal bone structure with a CT scan, we use an implant 3D-printed for you alone.

Individually made to match your nasal bone shape — reduces the chance of shifting or displacement
Thickness and curvature designed to match your skin thickness
A natural line that reduces the risk of show-through or deformation
Can also correct left-right asymmetry

Recommended for Those with a crooked or noticeably asymmetric nasal bone, or those worried about show-through due to thin skin

02

Diced Rib Cartilage

Diced Rib Cartilage Graft

One natural approach that finely dices and grafts the patient's own rib cartilage. Because it is your own tissue, it feels less foreign and carries a lower burden of rejection.

Being your own tissue, it is stable long-term with a low burden of rejection
Dicing gives a natural curve and a soft feel
Designed to reduce the risk of contracture or deformation
A direction well suited to revision and contracted-nose cases

Recommended for Those concerned about implant side effects or contracture, those who need revision surgery, or those who prefer their own tissue as material

BESPOCO Process

01

Precision CT Scan

3D data of the nasal bone and surrounding structure

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02

Digital Design

Optimal line design matched to your facial proportions

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03

3D Printing / Processing

Custom implant fabrication, or dicing of rib cartilage

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04

Precision Surgery

Performed personally by Dr. Kim Jihun, Medical Director

Book a BESPOCO Consultation →

Surgeon

Kim Jihun, Medical Director · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Specializing in rhinoplasty, he considers the proportions of the nose and the whole face together to build a surgical plan suited to each patient's individual structure.

View Medical Team Profile →

Indications

Consider This Option If Indications for autologous costal cartilage

I.

Contracted Nose · Revision

Those who need revision surgery or reconstruction of a contracted nose requiring structural support

II.

Implant Side Effects · Rejection

Those for whom using an implant is difficult or undesirable

III.

Insufficient Cartilage

Those for whom ear or septal cartilage alone isn't enough material

IV.

Thin Skin · Show-Through Concerns

Those worried about show-through due to thin skin

V.

Prefer Own Tissue

Those who want a material with a low burden of foreign-body reaction

VI.

High Bridge · Strong Support

Those who need a significantly raised bridge or firm structural support

Procedure Steps

Rib Cartilage Surgical Process From harvesting to reconstruction

01

Cartilage Harvesting

Cartilage is harvested mainly from the 7th–8th costal cartilage, only as much as needed.

02

Processing

Processed into a block or diced form depending on the purpose.

03

Nasal Reconstruction

Support and shape are designed and the graft is placed.

04

Aftercare

Recovery of both the harvest site and the nose is observed together.

Surgery Information

Surgery Information Duration · recovery period · anesthesia method

Duration

About 2–4 hours (varies by scope)

Anesthesia

Sedation

Stitch Out

5–7 days after surgery (including harvest site)

Recovery

Harvest-site pain for about 1–2 weeks; swelling settles at an individual pace

Hospitalization

Same-day discharge possible (varies by case)

Materials

Autologous costal cartilage (block / diced)

Before & After

Revision Cases Real patient transformations

View Revision Cases →

※ These photos are published with patients' prior consent in accordance with Korea's Medical Services Act Article 56. Results may vary by individual.

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions About rib cartilage

Q.Do you cut out a whole rib?+

Only a portion of the cartilage is harvested, not the whole rib. Only as much as needed is used, so that function is barely affected.

Q.What about scarring at the harvest site?+

Cartilage is mainly harvested from the 7th–8th costal cartilage. The incision scar fades over time, though the degree varies by individual.

Q.Can the cartilage warp over time?+

Costal cartilage can warp over time. Processing and placement techniques reduce this risk, but it cannot be completely ruled out.

Q.Is it always better than an implant?+

It depends on the situation. The material is chosen based on tissue condition and goals, and it is difficult to say either option is categorically superior.

Q.Is the pain severe?+

There can be pain at the harvest site, but it is managed with pain control and generally eases over 1–2 weeks.

Rib Cartilage