Composite Graft

  • Epidermis + dermis + one more component (typically cartilage)
  • Advantages: ability to restore missing cartilage in primary defect, maintains proper tissue architecture and function
  • Disadvantages: highest metabolic demand (thus, highest likelihood of failure), size limited (due to blood supply)
  • Donor sites: helix of ear, conchal bowl
  • Most commonly used in nose (commonly nasal ala → cartilage restores proper function and prevents alar collapse during inspiration), and donor site often helical crus of ear