Abstract
Cartilage laser thermoforming (CLT) is a new surgical procedure that allows in situ treatment of deformities in the head and neck with less morbidity than traditional approaches. While some animal and human studies have shown promising results, the clinical feasibility of CLT depends on preservation of chondrocyte viability, which has not been extensively studied. The present paper characterizes cellular damage due to heat in rabbit nasal cartilage. Damage was modelled as a first order rate process for which two experimentally derived coefficients, A = 1.2 × 1070 s−1 and Ea = 4.5 × 105 J mole−1, were determined by quantifying the decrease in concentration of healthy chondrocytes in tissue samples as a function of exposure time to constant-temperature water baths. After immersion, chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from the matrix and stained with a two-component fluorescent dye. The dye binds nuclear DNA differentially depending upon chondrocyte viability. A flow cytometer was used to detect differential cell fluorescence to determine the percentage of live and dead cells in each sample. As a result, a damage kinetic model was obtained that can be used to predict the onset, extent and severity of cellular injury to thermal exposure.
Highlights
Cartilage laser thermoforming (CLT), known as laser reshaping, is a new surgical procedure that allows in situ treatment of deformities in the head and neck with less morbidity than traditional approaches (Sobol et al 2000a)
As the temperature of the water bath increased, fewer chondrocytes are observed in the upper left quadrant and there is an increased count in the lower right, as shown in figures 2(b)–(d)
We measured the reduction in the fraction of viable chondrocytes with increasing exposure time as a function of water bath temperature and used this information to develop a first order rate process model of chondrocyte viability in response to heat
Summary
Cartilage laser thermoforming (CLT), known as laser reshaping, is a new surgical procedure that allows in situ treatment of deformities in the head and neck with less morbidity than traditional approaches (Sobol et al 2000a). Cartilage softens and can be stretched and shaped into new stable configurations. Reshaped cartilage can be used to reconstruct the framework of structures within the head and neck, such as ear, nose, larynx and trachea. Since CLT can be performed using minimally invasive techniques, it has the potential to alter radically the practice of aesthetic and reconstructive cranio-maxillo-facial surgery. While some animal and human studies have shown promising results (Sobol et al 2000b, Sobol 1995), the clinical feasibility of CLT depends on the preservation of chondrocyte viability after thermal exposure, which has not been extensively studied.
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