A experimental study on arthroscopic auricular cartilage transplantation for repair of osteochondral defect of temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Yang, C.; Wang, X.D.; Qiu, W.L.; Cai, X.Y.; Ha, Q.
Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue 10(3): 260-262
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1006-7248 PMID: 14994012 Document Number: 528506
To study the feasibility and resurfacing ability of auricular cartilage transplantation for osteochondral defect of TMJ. Arthroscopic auricular cartilage transplantations were undertaken in 12 rhesus monkeys(24 joints) to repair the osteochondral defects in TMJs. The repaired tissues were examined by gross examination, light microscope and immunohistochemistry(IHC) 4 weeks,8 weeks,12 weeks and 24 weeks postoperatively. The defects were repaired 8 weeks after operation. As time goes on, the chondrocytes in defects declined and fibroblast increased at the same time. The IHC showed slight positive stain of type II collagen. The osteochondral defects of TMJ can be restored by autologous auricular cartilage. The nature of repaired tissue was fibrocartilage like tissue at first and then fibrotic tissue.