The histology of autologous auricular cartilage implanted into the nasal septum.
This study attempts to evaluate the use of auricular cartilage for the treatment of nasal septal defects. A defect was made in the nasal septal cartilage in five rabbits and auricular cartilage grafted into the defect. The cartilage was microscopically examined 4 weeks later. The implanted cartilage was completely covered by ciliated columnar epithelium with minimal scar formation. Proliferation of the implanted cartilage and scattered ossification were observed. Seventeen patients with a nasal septal defect were treated by auricular cartilage implantation from April 1987 to through June 1992. Fifteen patients (88%) had relief of symptoms and showed complete closure of the defect with a follow-up period of 2 years. The results of this study suggest that auricular cartilage may be of value in the repair of a nasal septal defect.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Y G
YG
Min
Y K
YK
Kim
H S
HS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous