[Clinical study of chest development after costal cartilage harvesting in children].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the development of the chest wall after costal cartilage harvesting in children.

METHODS

Thirty-nine patients, who underwent microtia reconstruction with costal cartilage grafts, were examined in the donor-site with physical examination and radiography. Forty normal children were selected as control.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in size between the bilateral chests, and compared to the control. The rib deformity in each donor site was not observed on the radiography.

CONCLUSIONS

The costal cartilage harvesting in children has no significant evidence to influence the development of the chest wall.