Cartilage regeneration from perichondrium. Experimental studies and clinical applications.

Animal experiments with flaps and free grafts of perichondrium have produced new cartilage. The presence of blood seems to promote the formation of new cartilage in such instances. These perichondrial grafts have been used to produce better contours of the auricular cartilage in congenital deformities, and to reconstruct missing parts of the human ear. They are also being used clinically in joint surgery in cases of traumatic arthrosis and rheumatic arthritis to obtain painless motion.