Mechanical properties of septal cartilage homografts.
The compressive mechanical properties of untreated and chemically and physically treated nasal septum homografts were determined. Mechanical properties of control, saline-, thimerosal (Merthiolate)- and Alcide-treated specimens were similar. At high strains, the stiffness of treated cartilage ranged from 12.8 to 22.5 MPa and was unaffected by storage time. In comparison, irradiated and freeze-dried nasal septum exhibited stiffnesses of 35 and 37.5 MPa, respectively, after approximately 1 month of storage. These values of stiffness were significantly different from controls at a 0.95 confidence level. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that Alcide and Merthiolate treatment did not alter the compressive mechanical properties of cartilage and that a combination of these treatments may adequately sterilize and preserve nasal septum homografts.
Glasgold
M J
MJ
Biomaterials Center, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854.
Kato
Y P
YP
Christiansen
D
D
Hauge
J A
JA
Glasgold
A I
AI
Silver
F H
FH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000637:transplantation; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013849:Thimerosal; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods
D013849:Thimerosal; D012965:Sodium Chloride