bFGF in rabbit ear reconstruction with Medpor and costal cartilage

Objective To study the effect of bFGF in ear reconstruction with Medpor-costal cartilage. Methods A rabbit costal cartilage and Medpor scaffold model was established and implanted into the back skin of rabbits. The animals were divided into direct costal cartilage and Medpor connection group(group A) and bFGF-treated direct costal cartilage and Medpor connection group(group B). The scaffold was taken out on days 7, 14 and 28 after it was implanted. Its morphology was observed by histoimmunohistochemistry. CD34 expression in Medpor was detected and its microvessel density(MVD) was measured. Results The fibrosis and vascularization in Medpor were more significant in group B than in group A early after operation with no significant difference observed between the two groups later after operation. Conclusion bFGF plays a significant role in promoting fibrosis and vascularization of the scaffold early after operation, thus strengthening its connection to Medpor and cartilage, and increasing its stability and anti-infection ability.