Temporal Fascia Harvesting in Mumbai, India
Out of the various cartilages used in rhinoplasty temporal fascia harvesting is one of the most widely used. Usually in the Asian population nose and tip augmentation procedures are followed simultaneously. Majority of the nose augmentation involves implants. It is observed that is the process of nose augmentation, grafts using deep temporal fascia are used for primary rhinoplasty. This only helps the autologous tissues to improve the hump or the curve of the nose. In the case of secondary rhinoplasty temporal fascia is used to improve the implant demarcation and transparency. Temporal fascia is also widely used in cases of reconstruction surgeries of the face and exposed tendon injuries. Temporal fascia harvesting is also preferred as it provides sufficient volume for creating a smoother and better nose contour which is the major aim in cases of nose and tip augmentations. This leads the patients with usually fewer scars and makes it applicable as a material for various grafts used in rhinoplasty.
Temporal Fascia Harvesting for the use of cartilage in Rhinoplasty is especially useful for Asian rhinoplasty ethnicity people as they have a low and flat dorsum and the nasal tip is not projected. Also, the weak cartilage and thick nasal skin make them ideal candidates for this type of harvesting.
Temporal fascia harvesting is used in primary surgery cases with no implants in various graft methods for radix and supra tip depression augmentation for cases such as hump nose or tip deformities completely depending on the patient’s requirement and medical condition. In secondary cases, the temporal fascia is used to reinforce thinned skin and soft tissues after removing thickened capsules for improvement of implant demarcation from the contracture.
Rhinoplasty is performed by inducing the local anesthesia. Temporal fascia harvesting as a part of cartilage in Rhinoplasty surgery is done by making an incision of 3 cm to 4 cm along the temporal regions, along the patient’s posterior border of the sideburns. Dissection is done on the subcutaneous tissue and the superficial temporal fascia, paying requisite attention to the hair follicles and temporal arteries and veins. According to the requirement of the recipient, superficial temporal fascia is included when volume or smoothly movable planes are required. The temporal fascia to be harvested is identified according to the amount required and then incised, avoiding the vessels in the temporal muscles. This amount is determined by the surgeon based on the internal and external nasal examination done in advance before recommending the use of cartilage in rhinoplasty.
However hump nose correction without an implant, curve irregularity, and other depressed areas is generally improved by combined grafts with cartilage as means of wrapping or solely by just fascia as a free graft method. Usually, this technique is used in secondary rhinoplasty because cartilage in rhinoplasty gives better results.
Temporal fascia does promise long-term benefits, and the surgeons take full measures so that the desired results are delivered to the patients without causing them any discomfort or pain. During fascia harvesting the incision is made above the ear and completely contained within the hairline therefore the chances of scars being visible are greatly maintained. By obtaining the proper amount of tissues, the incision is closed with the help of absorbable sutures or staples. Once healed, the scars are hardly visible and even if they are it’s just a minimal visibility. The harvested cartilage is part of the patient’s tissue therefore the risks of infections and rejections are highly minimized. Also since they are completely natural, they even appear natural. Also, the added advantage is that the harvesting and installation of the cartilage in rhinoplasty can be done in the same procedure. Most patients are satisfied and exhibit quick recovery time within a week of the procedure.
