Enhanced cartilage regeneration by slow-release of basic fibroblast growth factor impregnated in gelatin microspheres

[Abstract] A cartilage graft is used for various reconstructions in the plastic surgery field. Auricular and costal cartilages are generally harvested, and the amount of collectable cartilage is often limited. The optimal utilization of collected cartilage to maximize the effect of cartilage graft has always been attempted resulting in unfavorable donor deformity with pain when harvest volume is large. Tissue reconstruction with minimizing donor site sacrifice is the ideal method. In this study, we introduced a bFGF slow-release system on a cartilage disk and investigated the possibility of quantitatively growing cartilage in a large animal model.