title: Generative surgery of cultured autologous auricular chondrocytes for nasal augmentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional treatment for nasal augmentation utilizes autologous grafts, allografts, or synthetic implants such as silicon implants. Silicon implants could protrude/expose or induce nasal bone resorption. Autologous grafts are usually associated with donor site morbidity and the volume of harvested tissue is limited. We had developed a new method for nasal augmentation using cultured autologous chondrocytes (CAC). The current report presents the results of a study using that method with a larger number of patients and an improved graft technique for the nasal tip.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 1 cm2 of cartilage was harvested from the auricular concha and treated with collagenase, and then chondrocytes were obtained. In our multilayer culture system the chondrocytes formed immature cartilaginous tissues with a gelatinous chondroid matrix. They were injection-grafted into the subcutaneous pocket of the nasal dorsum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chondrocytes with a gelatinous chondroid matrix change from a soft gel to hard neocartilage tissue within 2 to 3 weeks and then stabilize. The authors have used this procedure over a 6-year period on 75 cases: 58 secondary augmentation rhinoplasties following silicon implantation and 17 primary augmentation cases. The results have been satisfactory and long-lasting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Grafting of CAC is an optional method for nasal augmentation and could be used for a wide range of facial augmentation cases.
authors.affiliation: Yanaga Clinic and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Kokura-Kita-Ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanaga
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Katsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanaga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult