Cartilage grafts--present status.

Cartilage grafts have been in use for almost a century and have proved their usefulness. Many questions about immunology, survival, growth, and role of perichondrium are still debated. We are presenting a review of the literature and of our experimental work on cartilage grafts. Ear cartilage was transplanted from 28 young New Zealand rabbits subcutaneously in the chest walls. The grafts were divided into 1) bare cartilage, 2) perichondrium, 3) cartilage covered with perichondrium on one side, and 4) cartilage covered with perichondrium on both sides. The grafts were measured in length and weight before transplantation, and at 2 and 4 months after transplantation; they were compared to a control piece of cartilage tagged in situ. Histologic examination was performed on all retrieved grafts. Transplanted cartilage survival was good in over 75% of cases; however, cartilage production from perichondrium was minimal and no growth was noticed in any of the grafts.