GUIDED PERICHONDRIAL PROLIFERATION WITH BIODEGRADABLE, SELF-REINFORCED POLYGLYCOLIC ACID IMPLANTS

The growth of neocartilage derived from perichondrium associated with self-reinforced polyglycolic acid (SR-PGA) implants was studied in ten rabbits. Free perichondrial grafts were taken from the dorsal side of the ear, wrapped and sutured around triangular SR-PGA plates, and imp lanted into the pectoralis muscles. As a control, a triangular pericho ndrial sac of the same size was shaped and implanted into the contrala teral pectoralis muscles. Six weeks after operation neocartilage was f ound in each animal on both control and implant sides. The SR-PGA impl ants had guided the perichondrial potential to form triangular-shaped pieces of neocartilage, whereas the neocartilaginous plates on the con trol sides had lost their original shape.