Volume and Weight Changes of Autologous Costal Cartilage Grafts with and without Perichondrium in Human

ABSTRACT

Autologous cartilage grafts have become an integral part of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. However, little objective information is available about the actual quantitative resorption of cartilage in human. This study sought to objectively quantify and compare the resorption of costal cartilage in human. To compare the resorption characteristics of rib cartilage autografts, we harvested rib cartilage grafts from 37 microtia patients. All autografts were implanted subcutaneously on chest and then removed after 6 to 17 months. Graft mass and volume were compared before and after implantion. Rib cartilage grafts with perichondrium averaged 10.8+/-7.4% resorption by volume, On the other hand rib cartilage grafts without perichondrium 25.5+/-6.8%. There was no evidence of necrosis or inflammatory changes. The rib cartilage is the preferred source of autogenous cartilage for auricular reconstruction. Short-term resorption of rib cartilage without perichondrium appears to be higher than with perichondrium. The low resorption of cartilage with perichondrium may be due to in part to cartilage forming capacity of the perichondrium. It remains to be seen whether these differences in resorption persist in the long term.