[Growth of transplanted auricular cartilage in young rabbits]

Three months after isotopic and heterotopic autotransplantation of 100 pieces of auricular cartilage grafts (10 x 10 mm each) in 25 seven-week-old rabbits, growth was observed in 93% of the grafts. The length increased 24.0% to 26.0%, the width 12.0% to 17.0%, the area 40.0% to 47.4%. A synchronous growth of the transplant and the ear was observed with the growth of the rabbits. Histologic study showed that the growth of transplanted auricular cartilage is achieved jointly by two mechanisms, namely interstitial growth and appositional growth. The results of this experiment offer a positive and encouraging outlook for autotransplantation of cartilage in young patients.