Cartilage Grafting Outcomes in Intermediate and Definitive Cleft Rhinoplasty.

[OBJECTIVE] To compare cartilage grafting outcomes in intermediate versus definitive cleft rhinoplasty.

[DESIGN] A retrospective chart review was conducted. The χ and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analyses. Results were considered statistically significant at < .05.

[PARTICIPANTS] All subjects who underwent revision cleft rhinoplasties between July 2011 and June 2019 were included. Subjects with syndromic conditions were excluded.

[RESULTS] A total of 46 subjects with a cleft nose deformity underwent 65 rhinoplasty procedures. The ages averaged 17 years (range 5-50) with 34 (73.9%) males and 12 (26.1%) females. In the intermediate group, 6 (28.6%) subjects required cartilage grafting as part of 6 cleft rhinoplasties, whereas 15 (71.4%) subjects underwent a total of 26 cleft rhinoplasties that did not require grafting. In the definitive group, 18 (76%) subjects required cartilage grafting over 21 cleft rhinoplasties, whereas 7 (24%) subjects underwent a total of 9 cleft rhinoplasties where cartilage grafting was not required. The difference between the number of subjects requiring cartilage grafting in the intermediate versus the definitive group was statistically significant ( = .007). Ear concha and nose were the most frequently used cartilage donor sites, with no observed complications.

[CONCLUSIONS] Cartilage grafting was significantly more common in the definitive rhinoplasty group. Intermediate cleft rhinoplasty during the 5- to 13-year age period was effective, with a low-risk profile. In our experience, ear concha and nose were the preferred cartilage donor sites, with effective results and an excellent safety profile.