Comparison healing of cartilage grafts in rabbits with tissue adhesive (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) and the suture material (nylon 5.0)

OBJECTİVE: In this study tissue glue (N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate) and sutur material (5.0 Nylon) on one, two and three cartilage layers obtained from rabbit ear cartilage?s were compared macroscopically and histologically.MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 18 white New Zelland rabbit which weighed 3000 to 3400 gr (mean 3000) and aged 13 to 14 month. Cartilage grafts were harvested from the ears of the rabbits. The harvested cartilage grafts were placed on the same ear cartilage bye the sutur material as one layer in group 1, in group 2; by tissue glue as one layer, group 3; by sutur material as two layers, group 4; by tissue glue as two layers, group 5; by sutur material as three layers and group 6; by tissue glue as three layers. All of the procedures were performed by same surgeon. In the end of the 12th week the cartilage grafts on the ears were removed. Then these grafts were sent for histopatologic analysis. For the histologically analysis foreign body reaction, inflamation, angiogenesis, necrosis, fragmentation were scored.FINDINGS: İn the evalution of the cartilage grafts of rabbits? ears in group 1 and group 2, as significant macroscopic differents was not seen. The cartilages were in the similar size and color with the ones prior to the procedur. İn the right ear of the rabbits in group 3 a differance was not observed. İn the cartilages of rabbits ears group 4 were fixed by tissue glue, a mild softening under the cartilage was observed. İn the cartilages that were placed on the rabbit in group 5 difference was not observed. İn group 6; a yellowish color change a little purulent weeping and softining were observed on the cartilages which were placed on the bottom and middle site. İt was seen that tissue gluedid not melt and was crystallized.In the histological evaluation it was observed that foreign body reaction, inflamation, necrosis and increase in fragmentation were present especially in the ones that multiple layers of cartilage were used and fixed with tissue glue.RESULTS: In conclusion, it would be more suitable to use the n-butyl-cyanoacrylate as one layer in rhinoplasty and facial operations in due to its strong and advantages in decreasing the operation time. This study showed that when used with multiple layers of cartilages it the cartilage necrosis and foreign body reaction may occur while n-butyl-cyanoacrylate does not absorbed.KEY WORDS: Cartilage, 5.0 nylon, cyanoacrylate