Diced ear cartilage with perichondrial attachment in rhinoplasty: a new concept.

Abstract

Diced cartilage is a valuable material that has recently been added to the graft options in rhinoplasty. Shaping, fixation, and resorption are the main concerns with this material. Perichondrially attached diced conchal cartilage may be a new possibility to solve some of these problems. The authors evaluate the outcome of perichondrially attached diced cartilage in a rabbit model and compare the results with injectable cartilage grafting. Ear cartilage was removed from 1 auricle in each of the 16 rabbits included in this study; samples were divided in 2 pieces. After precise weighing, both segments were diced. The perichondrium was left attached to 1 of the pieces. Both segments were inserted in 2 separate pockets in the dorsum of the animal. After a 3-month period, both samples were removed and measured for growth/resorption. At the beginning of this study, the difference in weight between groups was statistically insignificant (P = .213), but 3 months after insertion, significant growth was observed in the perichondrial group (P = .019). The vascularization and significant growth in weight of the perichondrially attached diced cartilage samples are evidence of the viability of this material. The structural integrity and solid framework afforded by this option suggest that the material should be used more frequently in nasoskeletal augmentation.