A New Method of Utilizing Homografts: Procurement, Sterilization, Storage, and Clinical Application of Beta Irradiated Cartilage and Bone Homografts in Otorhinolaryngological Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

In depressed contour defects or saddle deformities found in otolaryngologic plastic and reconstructive surgery, we can occasionally utilize neighboring tissues. In some small saddle deformities of the nose we may utilize septal cartilage, if it is available, or at times we may use a flap fashioned from the upper lateral cartilages. At other times we may remove a small hump and slide it into a saddle depression below. As a rule, however, reassembling the existing tissues is not sufficient to achieve the desired cosmetic results. Some alien material, either from the patient's own body or from another person or animal, or even an inert substance must be used and incorporated into the defect in order to correct the deformity. The problem of what the ideal material is to achieve our purpose is a long-standing one. That the search is still on is evident from the extensive literature on the subject,