title: Long-term in vivo electromechanical reshaping for auricular reconstruction in the New Zealand white rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the dosimetry effect of electromechanical reshaping (EMR) on cartilage shape change, structural integrity, cellular viability, and remodeling of grafts in an in vivo long-term animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A subperichondrial cartilaginous defect was created within the base of the pinna of 31 New Zealand white rabbits. Autologous costal cartilage grafts were electromechanically reshaped to resemble the rabbit auricular base framework and mechanically secured into the pinna base defect. Forty-nine costal cartilage specimens (four control and 45 experimental) successfully underwent EMR using a paired set of voltage-time combinations and survived for 6 or 12 weeks. Shape change was measured, and specimens were analyzed using digital imaging, tissue histology, and confocal microscopy with LIVE-DEAD viability assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shape change was proportional to charge transfer in all experimental specimens (P < .01) and increased with voltage. All experimental specimens contoured to the auricular base. Focal cartilage degeneration and fibrosis was observed where needle electrodes were inserted, ranging from 2.2 to 3.9 mm. The response to injury increased with increasing charge transfer and survival duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMR results in appropriate shape change in cartilage grafts with chondrocyte injury highly localized. These studies suggest that elements of auricular reconstruction may be feasible using EMR. Extended survival periods and further optimization of voltage-time pairs are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects and shape-change potential of EMR.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Karam W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Badran
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Cyrus T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Manuel
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Anthony Chin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conderman
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Yuk Yee
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Tjoson
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tjoa
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Dmitriy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Protsenko
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.|Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Brian J F
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004426:Ear Deformities, Acquired / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Electromechanical reshaping; animal model; auricular reconstruction; microtia repair; otoplasty