Grafts and implants in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction

The quest for nasal symmetry and balance with the face often mandates the need for implantable materials to sculpt and rebuild the nasal skeleton and the overlying tissues. A suitable implant must be biocompatible, strong, and elastic. Implant materials that may be used in the nose can be divided into four groups: autografts, homografts, xenografts, and alloplasts. Each type of implant is reviewed and discussed in the context of rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction.