Survival of irradiated glutaraldehyde preserved bovine cartilage in nasal reconstruction: a retrospective study.

Chondroplast, bovine irradiated glutaraldehyde preserved cartilage, has been available in the UK for facial contour surgery since 1986. Eighteen patients who had implants for nasal reconstruction during a 3-year period were reviewed. The mean follow up was 21 months. There was a high rate of graft loss with significant resorption in 7 cases, and loss from infection in 4. There was survival of graft in 7 cases. A prospective study is recommended to determine the reliability of this graft material in reconstructive surgery.