Septal cartilage is usually the first choice as donor material in nasal surgery; however, when indicated, auricular cartilage grafts can serve as a safe, effective, and versatile alternative. This conclusion is supported by their successful use in a wide variety of surgical techniques, with long-term follow-up. The author feels strongly that autografts should be favored over alloplastic material. Alloplastic grafts continue to present a risk of infection over the entire life of their use. When a rhinoplasty is performed skillfully with a cartilage autograft, time becomes an ally of the surgeon rather than an enemy.

The results of this physician survey and literature review supports the inclusion of anterior rhinoscopy, patient questionnaire, endoscopy, decongestant spray rhinomanometry, and nasal strips as important components of a nasal examination.

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