Cultured chondrocyte and porcine cartilage-derived substance (PCS) construct as a possible dorsal augmentation material in rhinoplasty: A preliminary animal study

SummaryAs there is no single ideal material for dorsal augmentation in rhinoplasty, there has been a continuing need for the development of improved materials. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the outcome of using a novel tissue-engineered construct composed of autologous chondrocytes cultured with a porcine cartilage-derived substance (PCS) scaffold as an augmentation material in rhinoplasty. A scaffold derived from decellularized and powdered porcine articular cartilage was prepared. The rabbit articular cartilage was used as the source of homologous chondrocytes, which were expanded and cultured with the PCS scaffold for 7 weeks. The chondrocyte–PCS constructs were then surgically implanted on the nasal dorsum of six rabbits. Four and eight weeks after implantation, the gross morphology, radiologic images, and histologic features of the site of implant were analyzed. The rabbits showed no signs of postoperative inflammation and infection. The degree of dorsal augmentation was maintained during the 8-week postoperative observation period. Postoperative histologic examinations showed chondrocyte proliferation without an inflammatory response. However, neo-cartilage formation from the constructs was not confirmed. The biocompatibility and structural features of tissue-engineered chondrocyte–PCS constructs indicate their potential as candidate dorsal augmentation material for use in rhinoplasty.