What Is A DCF Rhinoplasty?

A Look Into The Specialized DCF Rhinoplasty Surgery

Warning: This article contains very graphic content with screenshots from videos of surgical procedures. Viewer discretion is advised.

What is a DCF Rhinoplasty? And How is it different from a standard Rhinoplasty? That simple question can easily turn into a lengthy answer, but here are the main differences in short:

First, a DCF Rhinoplasty uses your own cartilage (or donor cartilage) versus a silicone implant. Secondly, the chances of infection are very little-to-none compared to silicone implants. And lastly, patients receive much more natural-looking results since everything is built from scratch with your unique nose shape in mind.

Here is a brief, step-by-step explanation of how Dr. Edwin Kwon performs this surgery on the operating table:

Step 1: Deciding On A Type Of Rib With Dr. Kwon

Patients often ask for options that would not benefit the shape of their nose. One patient may require more cartilage, while another may not need that much cartilage at all. Every nose is different. That is why it’s important to have a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kwon in order to determine which option is best.

Option 1: The Donor Rib. Dr. Edwin Kwon orders and uses donor rib. Choosing this option allows for more cartilage to work with, less O.R. time, no extra incision or chest scar and less recovery time. It delivers the same natural-looking results as option 2. Additionally, this option is ideal for many revision rhinoplasties which typically require extra cartilage to rebuild the nose.

Option 2: Rib From The Patient. Dr. Edwin Kwon removes rib cartilage from patient. This requires more O.R. time with a minor chest scar and more recovery time. Patients will have a more substantial amount of pain compared to option 1. Please be aware that price will also differ from option 1 due to the extended O.R. time needed to harvest the rib.

Step 2: Fascia – What Holds Everything Together

Deep temporalis fascia is harvested from the scalp just above the ear which is used to wrap the diced cartilage with. As a result, the scar will be well-hidden by hair.

Step 3: Removing Ear Cartilage

Cartilage is then removed from behind the ear and placed aside to be diced later in the process. This ear cartilage is also used to refine the tip of the nose. After that, the remaining pieces are incorporated within the actual DCF explained in Step 5.

Step 4: Improved Breathing

Dr. Edwin Kwon uses septal cartilage to make spreader grafts to help with patient breathing.

Step 5: The DCF Is Formed

Dr. Edwin Kwon then prepares the Diced Cartilage Fascia, or “DCF” for the patient. The diced cartilage is pushed into the fascia forming a natural implant.

Step 6: Making Sure It Fits

After the DCF is formed, the last step is to insert the natural implant into the nose. At this point of the surgery, Dr. Edwin Kwon periodically adjusts the bridge and tip of the nose to ensure that results are as natural as possible. After everything looks and feels good to Dr. Kwon, the DCF Rhinoplasty surgery is complete.