Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2009 Feb;52(2):149-153. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.2.149.

Viability of Chondrocytes in the Crushed Septal Cartilage Depending on Degree of Crushing and Their Mechanism of Cell Death

• Chung YJ
• Moon TH
• Kim IS
• Ahn JC
• Kang JW

• KMID: 2276989
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.2.149

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To analyze the viability of chondrocytes according to different degrees of crushing and to investigate the mechanism of cell death in the crushed cartilage.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Septal cartilages were obtained from 22 patients and cartilage pieces were allocated to four groups; normal, mildly crushed, moderately crushed and severely crushed. The cartilage specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscope. The viability of the chondrocytes and the mechanism of cell death were assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy.
RESULTS
As crushing intensity increased, chondrocyte viability significantly decreased. The mechanism of cell death was mainly due to necrosis rather than apoptosis.
CONCLUSION
The viability of chondrocytes in the crushed cartilage depends on the degree of crushing. The mechanism of cell death after crushing is mainly necrosis. Therefore, for the clinical use of the crushed cartilage, slight overcorrection and standardization of the degree of crushing are recommended.

Keyword

Nasal septum; Crushing; Rhinoplasty; Mechanism of cell death

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Cartilage
Cell Death
Chondrocytes
Humans
Light
Microscopy, Confocal
Nasal Septum
Necrosis
Rhinoplasty