The use of alcohol-stored cartilage in experimental laryngotracheal reconstruction

Alcohol-stored homograft ear cartilage was used to reconstruct the larynx in an animal model. When sacrificed after one month the cartilage was incorporated in a stable position with mucosa on the luminal surface. Some resorption of implanted cartilage occurred, particularly where surgical trauma or sutures allowed granulation tissue to penetrate into the matrix. This paper emphasises the role that cartilage damage plays in resorption and strives to improve results in laryngotracheal reconstruction by highlighting the situations in which graft damage can be significant.