ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate safety of autogenous engineered septal neocartilage grafts.Compare properties of implanted grafts versus in vitro controls. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, basic science. SETTING: Research laboratory. METHODS: Constructs were fabricated from septal cartilage and serum harvested from adult rabbits and then cultured in vitro or implanted on the nasal dorsum as autogenous grafts for 30 or 60 days. Rabbits were monitored for local and systemic complications. Histological, biochemical and biomechanical properties of implanted and in vitro constructs were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: No systemic or serious local complications were observed. After 30 and 60 days, implanted constructs contained more DNA (p<0.01) and less sGAG per DNA (p<0.05) when compared with in vitro controls. Confined compressive aggregate moduli were also higher in implanted constructs when compared with in vitro controls (p<0.05) and increased with longer in vivo incubation time (p<0.01). Implanted constructs displayed resorption rates of 20-45 percent. Calcium deposition in implanted constructs was observed using alizarin red histochemistry and microtomographic analyses. CONCLUSION: Autogenous engineered septal cartilage grafts were well tolerated. As seen in experiments with athymic mice, implanted constructs accumulated more DNA and less sGAG when compared with in vitro controls. Confined compressive aggregate moduli were also higher in implanted constructs. Implanted constructs displayed resorption rates similar to previously published studies using autogenous implants of native cartilage. The basis for observed calcification in implanted constructs and its effect on long-term graft efficacy is unknown at this time and will be a focus of future studies.