The viability of diced cartilage grafts wrapped in autogenous fascia and AlloDerm ® in a rabbit model

Diced cartilage grafting has re-emerged as a popular method in aesthetic rhinoplasty since the introduction of Erol's Turkish delight technique. However, an extensive literature review indicates that diced cartilage grafts with Surgicel(®) wrapping are usually absorbed and often fail to correct associated clinical problems. Recent studies show that significant foreign-body reactions occur in diced cartilage grafts wrapped in Surgicel(®), but not in grafts wrapped in fascia. However, to date, no study has addressed the histological behaviour of diced cartilage wrapped using AlloDerm(®). The primary aim of this study was to compare the viability of diced cartilage wrapped in autogenous fascia to diced cartilage wrapped in AlloDerm(®) in a rabbit model. Ear cartilage and lumbosacral fascia were obtained from six New Zealand white rabbits. Diced cartilage grafts were transplanted to three surgically created subcutaneous pockets on the backs of the rabbits. The rabbits were divided into control group and two experimental groups: control group (group I): diced cartilage (n = 6); experimental group I (group II): diced cartilage wrapped in fascia (n = 6); and experimental group II (group III): diced cartilage wrapped in AlloDerm(®) (n = 6). The grafts were observed 6 months after implantation. Histological processing of the specimens included haematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Masson trichrome, safranin-O, Van Gieson and immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. Results were evaluated at a p < 0.05 significance level. Our histological analysis demonstrated that the chondrocyte regeneration potential, matrix collagen content, and metaplastic bone formation of the AlloDerm(®)-treated group were significantly superior to those of the fascia-treated group. With respect to other histological parameters, the AlloDerm(®)-treated group showed better results than the fascia-treated group, but these results were not statistically significant. The results of our experimental study suggest that AlloDerm(®) may be an excellent material for diced cartilage grafting. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical applications of AlloDerm(®) in diced cartilage grafting.