Viability and Stability of Various-Sized Free Diced Cartilage in an Experimental Study.

[BACKGROUND] Historically, research of diced cartilage for rhinoplasty has mainly explored the efficacy of wrapped materials, with few studies dedicated to various sizes of diced cartilage.

[OBJECTIVES] The authors of this study sought to evaluate the viability and stability of various-sized free diced cartilage.

[METHODS] The remaining costal cartilage was harvested during rhinoplasties and implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the backs of nude mice: shaved cartilage (group A, n = 8), diced cartilage with a diameter <0.5 mm (group B, n = 8), 0.5 to 1.0 mm (group C, n = 8), and 1.0 to 1.5 mm (group D, n = 8). After 12 weeks, weight and volume retention rates, histopathological examinations, and biomechanical properties were evaluated.

[RESULTS] Cartilage grafts in groups A and B showed an obvious loss of contour and severe dispersion. The weight and volume of cartilage graft in group A were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference, group D (122.8 ± 15.4%) achieved the highest weight retention rate compared with groups B and C (114.6 ± 7.1% and 114.3 ± 10.1%, respectively). Group A showed the most apparent chondrocyte nucleus loss with the least peripheral proliferation, and group D showed the best regeneration potential (all P < 0.05). Group C achieved less chondrocyte nucleus loss than group B (P < 0.05). The compressive elastic modulus increased with the diameter of diced cartilage (all P < 0.05).

[CONCLUSIONS] Diced cartilage with a diameter of 1.0 to 1.5 mm may have the highest viability and stability, followed by those of 0.5 to 1.0 mm and <0.5 mm.