Comparative study of meniscus replacement using autogenous auricular cartilage versus Zenoderm

Twelve adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups and were used in this study; to compare and to evaluate histologically in 3 months period; unilateral replacement of the dogs meniscus of temporomandibular joint with either autogenous cartilage of their external ears or with Zenoderm heterogeneous graft. Autogenous cartilage of the dogs ear was progressively replaced by fibrous tissue and its attachment to the lateral pterygoid muscle was started at the third month postoperatively. On the other hand, Zenoderm was replaced by vascular fibrous tissue and begun to attach to the lateral pterygoid muscle from the first month postoperatively and showed also good functional adaptation to the bony surfaces. In both grafts there were no changes of the bone architecture.