Viability and Biomechanics of Bare Diced Cartilage Grafts in Experimental Study. Issue 6 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liao, Jun-Lin; Chen, Jia; Xu, Jia-Qin; Cheng, Yan; Xie, Hong-Ju; He, Gu; He, Bin; Cao, Ke; Xie, Hui-Qing; Zhou, Jian-Da
• Is Part Of: Journal of craniofacial surgery. Volume 28:Issue 6(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Biomechanics -- costal cartilage -- diced cartilage -- resorption -- viability; Facial bones -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Skull -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; 617.52
• DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000003561
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-2275

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To assess the viability and biomechanics of bare diced cartilage grafts. Methods: Cartilage samples were collected from 1 ear in 15 rabbits as well as costal cartilage. Each rabbit was inserted bare diced- and single-strip costal-cartilage grafts, respectively, into paraspinal subcutaneous pockets: after euthanasia at 2 months, specimens were weighed, with diced cartilage grafts examined histomorphologically by hematoxylin-eosin staining, masson trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry. Finally, biomechanical properties of grafts were assessed. Results: Bare diced cartilage grafts were connected into an integrated mass after 2 months, and inward growth of fibrous tissues and angiogenesis were observed. Mean wet weights of diced cartilage grafts were 1.603 ± 0.278 and 1.662 ± 0.204 g pre- and postoperation, respectively; those of costal cartilage grafts were 0.053 ± 0.008 and 0.058 ± 0.008 g, respectively. In compression assays, mean modulus values of elasticity at yield in diced- and costal-cartilage grafts were 7.65 ± 0.59 and 22.30 ± 1.15 MPa, respectively ( P < 0.05); mean stress values were 4.07 ± 0.38 and 12.50 ± 1.15 MPa, respectively ( P < 0.05). In the tensile test, mean modulus values of elasticity at yield of diced- and costal-cartilage grafts were 4.70 ± 0.78 and 10.59 ± 1.39 MPa, respectively ( P < 0.05), mean stress values were 0.82 ± 0.05 and 1.76 ± 0.21 MPa, respectively ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: Diced cartilage grafts had favorable viability and growth. Despite reduced elasticity and stress values, they still can be served as substitute for supportive filling materials.