A graft is any living tissue that can be transplanted surgically from the donor site to the

recipient site. When this tissue is obtained from the same patient for whom grafting is
required, it is known as an autograft. Many maxillofacial procedures require grafts for
replacement of the lost tissue. Out of the many autograft options available, the
costochondral graft (rib graft) is one of the i.deal options for maxillofacial procedures.
The advantage of this graft is that it can provide either bone or cartilage or both and
bone & cartilage. They are harvested depending on patient needs.
The rib graft can be used for maxillofacial procedures like TMJ ankylosis, reconstruction
of the nasal bridge, reconstruction of orbital floor in trauma cases, interposition graft in
corrective jaw surgeries, only graft for sunken jaws, reconstruction of an ear, and
coverage of brain when a part of the skull bone has been lost. When the rib bone graft
along with cartilage is used in cases of TMJ ankylosis, it retains the growth potential and
prevents facial asymmetry on that side post-surgery. The rib cartilage, when used for
nasal bridge reconstruction, should be left out of the body for 30 min to deform, prior to
final carving and placement in its recipient site. This is because the inherent stress
within the cartilage takes that much time to manifest which if not elapsed before placing
the cartilage may cause deformation of an initially satisfactory result with time.
The incision for harvesting the rib graft is placed such that it is inconspicuous after
surgery. It is placed in the inframammary crease. After careful dissection of the skin,
subcutaneous tissue and the anterior chest wall muscles, the periosteum of the ribs are
reached. The periosteum is stripped carefully from the rib bone on all aspects except on
the posterior aspect to prevent any perforation of the pleural cavity that covers the
lungs. After careful dissection, the periosteum on the posterior aspect is also released.
The rib graft is harvested now and then an examination is made of the deep periosteal
surface to see whether there are any pleural tears. Water is then placed in the wound
and the anesthetist is asked to exert positive pressure ventilation to see whether there
is any bubbling in the wound which indicates a pleural tear. If there is an air leak it is
wise to use a temporary chest drain inserted through a separate stab incision in the
skin. The muscle, periosteum, subcutaneous layer and skin are closed in separate
layers with resorbable sutures.