Long term comparison of rib and ear cartilage grafts in autologous and allogenic fascia lata - an experimental study in a white rabbit model.

Background: Diced cartilage in fascia has become the graft material of choice for dorsal grafts in rhinoplasty. Allogenic fascia lata has not yet been investigated as an isolated fascial graft or as a combined graft with ear and rib cartilage, especially in comparison with autologous fascia and over a long implantation period. Methods: Ten different grafts were built from either autologous or allogenic fascia lata alone or as diced cartilage in fascia grafts with diced costal or ear cartilage and implanted into the dorsal skin of 15 rabbits. After 3 or 9 months, the grafts were explanted and analyzed histologically. Chondrocytes and cartilage matrix characteristics, including calcification, ossification, formation of bone marrow, fibrosis ingrowth and fibrotic transformation, the presence of immune reactions, vascular ingrowth, regenerative capacity, and capsule formation, were examined in a semiquantitative manner. Results: All grafts were vital and without inflammatory response. The cartilage showed regular nuclei, a normal matrix, and regenerative capacity. A higher grade of calcification and ossification was observed in the fascia/cartilage grafts than in isolated cartilage grafts, and was more pronounced for costal cartilage. Both types of fascia were shown to be equally stable and without degradation. There were no significant differences in the diced cartilage in fascia grafts built with autologous compared to allogenic fascia. Conclusions: This study shows the equivalency of diced cartilage in fascia grafts and isolated fascial grafts using allogenic fascia lata compared to autologous fascia. The type of cartilage used accounts for different long-term characteristics of diced cartilage in fascia grafts.