Generative Surgery of Cultured Autologous Auricular Chondrocytes for Nasal Augmentation

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. Approximately 1 cm(2) 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. 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. Grafting of CAC is an optional method for nasal augmentation and could be used for a wide range of facial augmentation cases.