Implants coated with TEC from human septal cartilage can be reliably produced in the athymic nude mouse model. Maintenance of shape, as measured by the conservation of construct diameter, is possible. Fibrovascular ingrowth and cartilage formation into the pores of the alloplastic implants was observed. This integration of a construct composed of a synthetic implant coated with TEC may improve the performance of alloplastic implants through better long-term fixation and increased resistance to infection.

Injectable, autologous cartilage may be the answer to the long search for the ideal implant in facial plastic surgery. Alginate and human chondrocytes can be used to create an injection that may be molded and maintains its overall size and shape, with some loss of definition, for at least 38 weeks after injection.

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