Objective To explore the effect of modified auricular cartilage septal extension grafts (SEG) scaffold on incision healing in patients with rhinoplasty. Methods A total of 40 patients with rhinoplasty admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects. They were divided into control group and observation group by the random number table method, with 20 patients in each group. The control group was treated with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis, and the observation group was treated with the modified auricular cartilage SEG scaffold. The incision healing, nasal shape indexes, nasal plastic surgery satisfaction and complications were compared between the two groups. Results The healing rate of grade Ⅰ in the observation group was 75.00%, which was higher than 35.00% in the control group, and the healing rate of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The postoperative nasal tip height, nasal tip length and nose-tip protrusion in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the nasolabial angle was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction scores of postoperative nasal type, nasal tip, nasal rotation and nostril diameter in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Compared with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis, the application of modified auricular cartilage SEG scaffold for rhinoplasty is more effective. It can promote postoperative healing, improve the aesthetic level of the nose and patient satisfaction, and reduce the incidence of complications.