title: The histology of laser thermo-chondro-plasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giving a new shape to a cartilage graft has been a matter of continuous study. In 1991, our group managed to change the shape of human nasal septal samples using CO2 irradiation. This procedure, which we call thermo-chondro-plasty, was achieved without the macroscopic carbonization or ablation of the tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study the thermo-chondro-plasty effect of the CO2 laser irradiation on human nasal septal cartilage, samples were irradiated in selected laser parameters and then examined with light and electron microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that it was primarily the proteoglycan component of the matrix in which we induced the maximum alterations. The destruction of their water-binding ability led to an uneven reduction of the interlocked tensile stresses of the cartilage and resulted in its transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Helidonis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volitakis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naumidi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velegrakis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bizakis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*