ASJ Aesthetic Surgery Journal · 2011

Human acellular dermal matrix grafts for rhinoplasty

Sherris DA, Oriel BS.

PubMed 21908828 Publisher (DOI)

What this paper says

In a series of 51 patients who received processed human donor skin (acellular dermal matrix) as a graft during rhinoplasty or septoplasty, the authors report no infections, discoloration, fluid collections, septal holes, significant shrinkage or extrusions.

Overview

Rhinoplasty grafts usually come from the patient's own septum, ear, rib or fascia, each with a donor site and its own risks. Acellular dermal matrix is human donor skin with the cells removed, leaving a collagen sheet. The authors report their results using it for both structural support and soft contouring in the nose.

Sections of note

51 patients had acellular dermal matrix (ADM) placed during rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
Uses described: structural support and nonstructural placement, including contouring and as a barrier layer.
No cases of infection, skin discoloration, seroma, septal perforation, significant resorption, extrusion or other ADM-related complication.
The abstract does not state the follow-up period, the graft positions used or any outcome scores.
Stated advantage: no additional donor site.

What it means for a patient

A processed donor tissue can cover irregularities or add a layer under thin skin without taking tissue from the ear or rib.
In this series it caused no problems, but the follow-up length is not given, so late shrinkage cannot be judged.
Single group with no comparison to the patient's own cartilage or fascia.

Why this paper matters

ADM is one of several off-the-shelf materials tried as a substitute for fascia and cartilage. This report supports its short-term safety in the nose. Long-term resorption, which has been the concern with ADM elsewhere, remains unanswered in the abstract.

Terms

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM): human donor skin processed to remove cells, leaving a collagen scaffold.
Septoplasty: surgery to straighten the wall between the two sides of the nose.
Fascia: the thin tough tissue layer over muscle, often harvested from the temple as a soft graft.
Seroma: a collection of clear fluid under the skin after surgery.
Septal perforation: a hole through the septum.
Resorption: the body breaking down and absorbing a graft, causing it to shrink.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-08; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

From the abstract

“Rhinoplasty often relies on graft material for structural support in the form of cartilage, bone grafts, or fascia. In addition, pliable grafts are often helpful for contouring and can function as a barrier. Unfortunately, grafts carry the disadvantage of requiring an additional donor site, with associated…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.