title: Morphological and histological changes of the septal cartilage after unilateral versus bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation is often needed to properly correct the septal deformity although it has been discouraged because of possible complications. This study investigated the effect of unilateral versus bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation  on the morphological and histological changes of the septal cartilage in a rabbit model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen mature New Zealand white rabbits were categorized into three groups (six animals for each) according to the procedures they received: unilateral mucoperichondrial  flap elevation versus bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation versus no flap elevation. In each group, one-half of the animals were killed 3 months after the procedure and the other half were killed 6 months after the procedure. Thickness of cartilage was measured and histological changes  of chondrocyte and extracellular matrix were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, and Verhoeff's elastic stains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in changes of thickness of the cartilage among the three groups. Histological examination  revealed that the chondrocyte numbers and dystrophic features as well as the ratio of chondroblast were not different among three groups. Masson's trichrome stain in the bilateral group showed lesser dense collagen fibers than the other groups. Alcian blue stain for proteoglycan documented  that the peripheral zone showed lower expression in the bilateral group than the other groups. However, Verhoeff's elastic stain did not differ among the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation of a rabbit model decreased deposition of collagen  fibers and proteoglycan while maintaining the similar chondrocyte cellularity compared with the other groups.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Doh Young
authors: DY
authors: Lee
authors: Dae Woo
authors: DW
authors: Kim
authors: Dennis Cristobal S
authors: DC
authors: Mangoba
authors: Dong-Young
authors: DY
authors: Kim
authors: Hong Ryul
authors: HR
authors: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013524:Surgical Flaps
chemical_list: D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen