ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of transplantation of engraved autologous costal cartilage for individualized surgical management in secondary rhinoplasty for cleft lip. MethodsBetween September 2009 and January 2014, 350 patients with secondary nasal deformity of cleft lip were treated, including 160 males and 190 females with a mean age of 18.2 years (range, 16-56 years). Nasal deformity was caused by unilateral cleft lip in 200 cases and by bilateral cleft lip in 150 cases. The interval of lip repair and nasal deformity correction was 2-50 years (mean, 12 years). About a 2-6 cm cartilage was harvested from the 6th or 7th costal cartilage, and was engraved to the shape of "ge" in Chinese. The upper part was strengthened on both sides of the alar cartilage; the lower part was fastened to columella and nasal septum cartilages. The rest of cartilages was diced into 0.1 mm×0.1 mm×0.1 mm cubes. The columella incision was designed to "Z"-plasty, and was stretched to the nasion along alar edge. The engraved autologous costal cartilage was transplanted and fixed to the collapse of nostril. The cartilage cube was transplanted and filled into the collapse of nasal root to achieve the aesthetic effect of nasal augmentation. The effectiveness was evaluated according to the grade of secondary rhinoplasty for cleft lip by ZHANG Li et al. at 1, 6, and 12 months after operation. ResultsAll incisions were primary healing. All patients were followed up 1-12 months (mean, 6 months). After rhinoplasty, the collapse of nostrils was lifted, and the shape and height of collapse of nostrils were symmetrical to normal side. The deflection of columella nasi was corrected. A beautiful shape of nose was achieved. The excellent and good rates were 98.6% at 1 month, 97.4% at 6 months, and 97.1% at 12 months after operation, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.545, P=0.761). ConclusionThe technique of transplantation of engraved autologous costal cartilage for individualized surgical management in secondary rhinoplasty for cleft lip can achieve excellent surgery effect.