Multilayer Onlay Cartilage Graft with Perichondrium: Comparing Growth Rate and Strength in a Rabbit Model

Multilayered cartilage graft has been clinically used at tip plasty, total ear reconstruction, and cleft lip nasal deformities. Perichondrial flap or a free perichondrium has been also commonly used for induction of neocartilage. However, the influence of perichondrium on multilayered cartilage graft to strength and growth rate is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the strength and growth rate of different multilayered cartilage graft and to present the most ideal model of multilayered cartilage graft. Twenty Newzealand white rabbit were used. Triple layers of cartilage grafts with various perichondrium were inserted into six separate pockets in paravertebral region of rabbits. The grafts were grossly and microscopically observed on 8 and 16 weeks after grafting. On gross observation, the grafts showed marked enlargement of three layers of cartilage grafts with perichondrium compare with three layers of cartilage grafts without perichondrium In histologic examination, the number of PCNA-labelled cells were significantly high on three layers of cartilage grafts with perichondrium. In conclusion, this study suggested that triple-layer graft of cartilage grafts with perichondrium on the outside of triple-layer graft has strength and an effect on chondrogenetic induction by the perichondrium.