Viability and durability of diced cartilage graft combined and formed with autologous blood fibrin (experimental study)

Abstract

Introduction: Rhinoplasty constitutes an example wherein the various types of filling materials are used for nasal dorsal deformities. In this study, we took the advantage of a simplified procedure and used fibrin isolated from the coagulated peripheral blood of the experimental animal. Durability and viability of diced autologous cartilage grafts adhered to each other and formed using fibrin extracts were assessed experimentally in a rabbit model. Subjects and Methods: Diced cartilage graft (Group 1), block cartilage (Group 2), and fibrin adhered 0.5 mm diced cartilage graft (Group 3) were placed into subcutaneous pockets in the frontoparietal region of the same experimental animal. The grafts were excised at the end of 16 weeks. The excised grafts were macroscopically evaluated, and the final volumes and weights were measured. These measurements were compared to the initial values before implantation. Finally, the specimens were evaluated the histopathological examination. Results: In Group 1, 165% increase in weight and 56% increase in volume; in Group 2, 131% increase in weight and 81% increase in volume; finally in Group 3, 184% increase in weight and 68% increase in volume were seen. Although histological examination did not reveal any difference with regard to chondroid matrix score, metachromasia, vascularization, fibrosis, and inflammation we observed significantly higher cartilage proliferation score in Group 3. Conclusion: The results indicate that these grafts can be used efficiently, particularly in rhinoplasty procedures to correct nasal deformities.