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 implanted into the pectoralis muscles. As a control, a triangular perichondrial sac of the same size was shaped and implanted into the contralateral pectoralis muscles. Six weeks after operation neocartilage was found in each animal on both control and implant sides. The SR-PGA implants had guided the perichondrial potential to form triangular-shaped pieces of neocartilage, whereas the neocartilaginous plates on the control sides had lost their original shape.