The effect of sildenafil on fascia-wrapped diced cartilage grafts.

[OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS] Diced cartilage grafts are frequently used, especially in rhinoplasty. The effect of sildenafil on the viability of diced cartilage grafts was investigated in this study.

[STUDY DESIGN] Animal experiment.

[METHODS] An approximate 2 × 2-cm cartilage graft was taken from the ears of 14 New Zealand rabbits, diced to approximately 1-mm(3) dimensions, then wrapped in muscle fascia taken from the right rear leg. These were then weighed and placed in prepared cavities on the backs of the rabbits. The animals were separated into two groups, and although no procedure was applied to the control group, a daily dose of 10 mg/kg sildenafil was administered orally to the sildenafil group. After 3 months, the rabbits were sacrificed and the grafts were removed, weighed, and examined histopathologically.

[RESULTS] No statistically significant difference was observed between groups with respect to graft weight. Histopathologically, graft tissue viability was 85% in the sildenafil group and 41.43% in the control group, which was determined to be statistically significant. A lower resorption rate and higher basophilia rate was observed in the sildenafil group (P < .05) compared with the control group. No statistically significant differences were determined between the groups with respect to calcification, bone metaplasia, inflammation, or fibrosis.

[CONCLUSIONS] Independent of surgical technique, sildenafil may be clinically useful as a medical agent to enhance graft viability.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE] NA