THERMOCHONDROPLASTY OF RABBIT EAR CARTILAGE USING THE CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER

Remodelling of deformed cartilaginous tissue in the head and neck pres ents a difficult surgical problem since cartilage tends to return to i ts original shape because of its natural internal stresses. This is al so true of cartilage autografts. Cartilage can be remodelled using hea t and this paper describes the use of light from a carbon dioxide lase r (lambda=10.6 mu m) to remodel cartilaginous tissue, in a procedure w hich we have called laser thermochondroplasty. Straight cartilage samp les were removed from the ears of 12 rabbits, moulded with the CO2 las er at an output power of 3 W with a spot; diameter of 2 mm and exposur e times of 0.5 s. After remoulding, the cartilage, together with a con trol, unmoulded sample, were implanted into the rabbits' back and retr ieved 6-8 months later. Histological and morphological analysis showed that the treated cartilages retained both their shape and viability. This may well be a useful clinical technique for the in situ remouldin g of difficult cartilage, such as that found in the nasal septum, with minimal damage, and the transplanting of autologous cartilage which h as been remoulded in vitro.