Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating the Outcomes Associated with the Use of Fresh Frozen Allograft Cartilage in Rhinoplasty.

[BACKGROUND] There are different types of grafts for rhinoplasty, each with certain advantages and disadvantages. Fresh frozen cadaveric costal allograft (CCA) provides an alternative to rhinoplasties. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of fresh frozen CCA and traditional autologous costal cartilage in cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty procedures.

[METHODS] This is a prospective, single-center, nonrandomized, open-label clinical trial. Objective assessment to evaluate warping, resorption, and displacement of the cartilage was achieved by measuring the differences of standardized values (deviation angle, nasofrontal angle, total facial convexity, nasofacial angle, and nasolabial angle) obtained at 6-months and 12-months postoperative follow-up on standard two-dimensional photographs (Δ = ∣measurement - measurement∣). Subjective assessment was measured by the FACE-Q assessment.

[RESULTS] Fifty eligible patients between March 2017 and October 2020 were included. The average age was 43.9 ± 16.6 years and the mean follow-up period was 14.8 months. In the control group, the changes (Δ) in the deviation angle and nasolabial angle were greater than in the CCA group ( < 0.05). In the CCA group, the mean score of satisfaction with nose improved at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively ( < 0.05). The mean score of satisfaction with nostrils and overall facial appearance also increased in the CCA group at 6 months postoperatively ( < 0.05). Six patients from the CCA group and 10 patients from the control group experienced postoperative complications.

[CONCLUSIONS] Fresh frozen CCA is a safe and reliable source of rhinoplasty grafts. It is aseptic, readily available, and free of donor site complications.