Comparison of bend angle measurements in fresh cryopreserved cartilage specimens after electromechanical reshaping

Abstract

Cryopreservation of cartilage has been investigated for decades and is currently an established protocol. However, the reliability and applicability of cartilage cryopreservation for the use in electromechanical reshaping (EMR) has not been studied exclusively. A system to cryopreserve large numbers of tissue specimens provides a steady source of cartilage of similar quality for experimentation at later dates. This will reduce error that may arise from different cartilage stock, and has the potential to maximize efficiency under time constraints. Our study utilizes a unique methodology to cryopreserve septal cartilage for use in EMR studies. Rabbit septal cartilage specimens were harvested and standardized to 20 x 8 x 1 mm, and placed in one of three solutions (normal saline, PBS, 10% DMSO in PBS) for four hours in a cold storage room at 4 degrees Celsius. Then, each cartilage specimen was vacuumed and sealed in an anti-frost plastic bag and stored in a freezer at -80 degrees Celsius for 1 to 3 weeks duration. EMR was performed using 2 and 6 volts for 2 minutes application time. Bend angle measurements of the cryopreserved cartilage specimens were compared to bend angles of fresh cartilage which underwent EMR using the same parameters. Results demonstrate that normal saline, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and PBS with DMSO were effective in cryopreservation, and indicated no significant differences in bend angle measurements when compared to no cryopreservation. Our methodology to cryopreserve cartilage specimens provides a successful approach for use in conducting large-scale EMR studies.