In situ split costal cartilage graft harvesting through a small incision using a gouge

A costal cartilage graft is one of the most useful materials in reconstruct ive plastic surgery. In this article, a technique of in situ split costal c artilage graft harvesting through a small incision (2 to 3 cm) using a goug e is described. The technique used has many advantages: it is a simple tech nique, is easy to learn, and can be performed quickly through a small incis ion. By avoiding complete costal cartilage graft harvesting, the associated potential complications such as pleural perforation, chest wall deformitie s, long-lasting postoperative pain, and incisional scar length are reduced. This technique will be useful in selected cases for which a complete block of costal cartilage graft is not needed.