[A new concept for preparing lyophilized cartilage and its use in patients with dentogenous cysts--preliminary...

Under sterile conditions human costal cartilage is explanted, stripped of perichondrium, deep-frozen and lyophilized for 72 hours. Then single grafts are packaged and gas sterilized. 8 hours before implantation grafts are rehydrated in an antibiotic solution. 19 extensive dentogenous cysts were packed with lyophilized bruised cartilage. Healing was uncomplicated in all cases. A definitive assessment of ossification is not yet possible.