How Is Adam’s Apple Augmentation Done?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I read on your website that you are able to perform Adam’s Apple Augmentation (as opposed to the usual reduction) and I was wondering what the approximate cost would be for this surgery, and what the cost and recovery differences would be if the patient opts to use the intercostal cartilage rather than synthetic materials?

A: Adam’s apple augmentation or tracheal sugmentation can be done used either a Medpor nasal shell style implant or carved rib cartilage. There are advantages and disadvantages with either approach. An implant is preformed, requires no donor site harvest and easily shaped to overlay on top of the existing thyroid cartilages. Because the implant is performed, the operative time is shorter and this costs less. It is an implant, however, so theoretically the risk of potential infection is higher. (although I have not seen that occur) Rib cartilage requites a donor site harvest, is harder to shape and adapt to the existing thyroid cartilages and costs more to perform. It is, however, a natural material and this would suffer a lower risk of infection.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana