REACTION OF CONNECTIVE-TISSUE TO CARTILAGINOUS IMPLANTS - MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION

In this paper, besides already investigated cartilage implants, we studied morphologically and histometrically possibilities to use human thyroid cartilage in reconstructive surgery, especially in nasal septum and pyramid reconstructions. Preserved human thyroid and rib cartilage as well as rabbit preserved rib cartilage were implanted under the back skin of 12 New Zeland rabbits. Animals were divided into two groups with 6 specimens in each group followed 6 and 12 weeks after implantation. Beside morphological investigation we measured histometrically the thickness of connective capsule around implants. Results obtained by our morphological and histometrical studies indicate that preserved human thyroid cartilage could be used in reconstructive surgery with the same success as other cartilage implants already used.