Absorption of autogenous cartilage grafts in man

Abstract

Summary 1.In the course of previous work it was noted that surface absorption had occurred in a human cartilage autograft two months after transplantation. This observation has been investigated by studying twenty-five autografts which had remained in the tissues for periods ranging from two months to thirty-seven years. 2.Absorption had affected every surface which had been bared of perichondrium prior to grafting. By contrast, an intact perichondrial layer protected the underlying cartilage. 3.The absorptive process appeared to be of short duration and to be completed within a few weeks after transplantation. 4.The degree of absorption varied widely; when severe it could result in a significant decrease in the bulk of the graft. In diced cartilage grafts the shrinkage may be of clinical importance because of the increased surface exposed; the smaller the dices the greater will be the loss in volume. 5.The possible ˦tiological factors and the surgical implications are discussed.