Post‐Operative Infection in Rhinoplasty With Autologous Versus Cadaveric Costal Cartilage Grafting
Lillian W. Dattilo, Leillani L. Ha, Robin W. LindsayABSTRACT
Objective
To determine if post‐operative infection rates after rhinoplasty differ based on use of autologous versus irradiated cadaveric costal rib grafting and use of prophylactic antibiotics.
Methods
Patients undergoing cosmetic or functional rhinoplasty or nasal valve repair with costal cartilage grafting during the years 2002–2025 were identified. Patients were separated into those who underwent autologous rib grafting versus irradiated homologous (cadaveric) costal cartilage grafting. Demographic data, rates of post‐operative prescription of oral or IV antibiotics from post‐operative day three to 30, and rates of return to OR for revision within the first 30 post‐operative days were tabulated for each group and compared with chi‐square and Fisher Exact tests.
Results
A total of 707 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with costal cartilage grafting were identified; 422 with autologous rib grafting (54% female; median age 48 years) and 285 with cadaveric costal cartilage grafting (52.6% female; median age 53 years). The rate of post‐operative infection did not significantly differ between the autologous and cadaveric rib groups (2.3% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.99). One patient in the cadaveric group (0.34%) returned to the operating room for revision (washout of post‐operative infection) within the first 30 post‐operative days. Prescription of post‐operative oral prophylactic antibiotics did not significantly decrease the post‐operative infection rate ( p = 0.13 for autologous group and p = 0.18 for cadaveric group).
Conclusion
Post‐operative infection rates after rhinoplasty did not significantly differ between patients undergoing cadaveric versus autologous rib grafting. The use of prophylactic antibiotics did not decrease the risk of post‐operative infection.
Level of Evidence
3.