[Homografts of irradiated costal cartilage]

Preserved irradiated homologous rib cartilage are not frequently used in spite of many publications confirming its value. A review of 62 cases with at least two years follow-up is presented confirming the absence of resorbtion or immunology response. Further more preserved irradiated rib cartilage has been used as replacement for bone grafts in a serie presented with illustrations of the stable results obtained. The change of behavior of homologous cartilage in human introduced by gamma irradiation would need to be investigated.