Study of rabbit septal cartilage grafts placed on the nasal dorsum.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the reabsorption characteristics of fresh septal cartilage autografts, preserved homografts, and preserved autografts in the nasal dorsum of rabbits.


METHODS
Rabbit nasal dorsum cartilage grafts were placed in 3 groups. The first group used fresh autologous cartilage; the second group, alcohol-preserved homologous cartilage; and the third group, alcohol-preserved autologous cartilage. Each rabbit received 2 grafts, one crushed and another noncrushed. After 16 weeks, the grafts were removed for analysis.


RESULTS
No graft calcification occurred in any group. Chondrogenesis was observed in all groups. The fresh autograft group had the best results in the evaluation of the area of graft recovered and chondrocyte viability. The preserved autologous and homologous grafts did not differ in relation to any of the variables analyzed. Crushed grafts had inferior results in the area of graft recovered and chondrocyte viability compared with the noncrushed forms. No significant difference among the 3 groups was noted in the thickness of the fibrous capsule that developed around the graft.


CONCLUSIONS
The fresh cartilage autograft was superior to the crushed and uncrushed preserved homografts and autografts; both types of preserved grafts had equivalent histological results. The uncrushed forms were superior to the crushed forms.
Ale de Souza
Márcia Maria
MM
Division of Rhinology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. marcia-ale@uol.com.br
Gregório
Luiz Carlos
LC
Sesso
Ricardo
R
Souza
Soraia Ale
SA
Settanni
Flavio
F
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation*; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery*; D011817:Rabbits; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous