Long-term in vivo electromechanical reshaping for auricular reconstruction in the New Zealand white rabbit model.

ABSTRACT: To demonstrate the dosimetry effect of electromechanical reshaping (EMR) on cartilage shape change, structural integrity, cellular viability, and remodeling of grafts in an in vivo long-term animal model.Animal study.A subperichondrial cartilaginous defect was created within the base of the pinna of 31 New Zealand white rabbits. Autologous costal cartilage grafts were electromechanically reshaped to resemble the rabbit auricular base framework and mechanically secured into the pinna base defect. Forty-nine costal cartilage specimens (four control and 45 experimental) successfully underwent EMR using a paired set of voltage-time combinations and survived for 6 or 12 weeks. Shape change was measured, and specimens were analyzed using digital imaging, tissue histology, and confocal microscopy with LIVE-DEAD viability assays.Shape change was proportional to charge transfer in all experimental specimens (P?

SUBMITTER: Badran KW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4737598 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature