Ear Cartilage Regeneration: A Comparison of Free Perichondrial and Periosteal Grafts

Abstract

Background Ear cartilage is a good source for tissue support or augmentation in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, the amount of ear cartilage is limited and excessive use of cartilage can cause deformation of the donor site. To minimize the loss of cartilage, the potential of periosteal chondrogenesis was investigated in an ear cartilage defect model. Materials and Methods Twelve New Zealand White rabbits were used in the present study. Four sections of ear cartilage defect were created on the ear of each rabbit bilaterally, between the central artery and marginal veins. Skin flaps measuring 12 × 12 mm2 were elevated and 10 × 10 mm2 auricular cartilage defects were created including the perichondrium. The defects were covered with perichondrium (group 1), periosteum taken from the calvarium (group 2), or periosteum taken from the tibia (group 3), whereas no coverage was made in a control group (group 4). All animals were sacrificed 6 weeks later, and the results were investigated both, macroscopically and microscopically. Results Significant chondrogenesis occurred only in the perichondrial graft group, whereas osteogenesis, instead of chondrogenesis was seen in the periosteal graft groups. There was no statistical difference in the amount of osteogenesis or chondrogenesis between groups 2 and 3. Group 4 showed fibrous tissue accumulation in the defect area. Conclusion Periosteal grafts showed weak chondrogenic potential in an ear cartilage defect model

instead, they exhibited osteogenesis, and showed the same clinical activity irrespective of their embryological origin.