Comparison of diced cartilage graft wrapped in surgicell and diced cartilage graft wrapped in fascia: an experimental study.
HYPOTHESIS: This study was conducted to compare diced cartilage grafts wrapped in fascia and diced cartilage grafts wrapped in surgicell with respect to their resorption. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Eight male Wistar Albino rats were used. After general anesthesia, two different subcutaneous pockets (upper and lower pocket) were prepared in the rat's abdomen. Surgicell-wrapped homograft that was taken from the ear was placed into the upper subcutaneous pocket. Fascia-wrapped homograft which was taken from the ear was placed into the lower subcutaneous pocket. All the rats were killed at the end of 2 months, and the samples were collected to be examined histopathologically. Cartilage mass, foreign body reaction, fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and vascularization were researched. RESULTS: Diced cartilage wrapped surgicell stained negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Diced cartilage wrapped in fascia stained positive for GFAP. There was a significant difference between two groups with respect to fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and cartilage mass. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding vascularization. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that diced cartilage graft wrapped in surgicell was absorbed, whereas diced cartilage graft wrapped in fascia was not.