Ear reconstruction research using animal models: The effect of fat grafting on costal cartilage stents.

OBJECT: For congenital microtia patients with a depressed mastoid area, it is unclear whether autologous fat grafting to fill the depressed area of the cheek will affect the survival of the subsequent grafted costal cartilage stent. An animal model was used for in vivo research to provide guidance for clinical applications.

METHODS

Autologous costal cartilage was implanted in nude mice. Fat samples were collected at different time points and histological examination performed to analyze the activity of chondrocytes and the deposition of the chondrocyte matrix.

RESULTS

This nude mouse fat transplantation model study showed that there were statistical differences in chondrocyte viability between the fat filling group and the control group, but there was no statistical difference in the effect on collagen content.

CONCLUSION

Transplanting fat reduces the viability of chondrocytes, but has little effect on collagen matrix deposition.