Biochemical Compositional Analysis of Cadaveric Rib Cartilage

Background: Cadaveric rib is used as a cartilage source for reconstructive rhinoplasty in patients who lack sufficient native septal cartilage; however, these grafts are known to warp. Objective: To measure and compare the biochemical properties of cadaveric rib as related to age, gender, and cortical versus core location. Methods: Seven cadaveric rib cartilage specimens were obtained and sectioned into cortical and core segments. Biochemical assays were used to determine total collagen and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content. Results: Collagen was present in higher amounts in cortical segments than core samples (72.8 ± 35.14 vs. 37.3 ± 16.99 μg/mgww, p = 0.0005). sGAG was also shown to be more prevalent in cortical segments (25.47 ± 11.59 vs. 12.17 ± 7.15 μg/mgww, p < 0.0001). The concentrations of collagen and sGAG demonstrated a positive correlation (R² = 0.44, p = 0.0004). Collagen and sGAG content decreased with the age of the donor (p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), but donor gender did not appear to affect collagen or sGAG content (p = 0.62 and p = 0.43, respectively). Conclusion: Collagen and sGAG content was higher in cortical segments of cadaveric rib cartilage than in core segments, and higher in samples from younger cadavers as well.