Cartilage transformation in a composite graft of demineralized bovine bone matrix and ear perichondrium used in a child for the reconstruction of the nasal septum.

For the first time it was observed in a boy that a xenogenic implant of demineralized bovine bone matrix, enfolded in a pedicled flap of autogenic ear perichondrium, was transformed into autogenic cartilage. This new cartilage could be adequately used as a graft to bridge the cartilaginous defect of a nasal septum perforation. The defect was successfully closed by a technique employing four bipedicled mucosal advancement flaps of the septum and the nasal floor. The result of this pilot study, which is based on experiments in growing rabbits, appears to open the possibility to create de novo young and growing autogenic cartilage of substantial quantity in children, without the loss of the cartilage present.