Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Comparison of the Mechanical Properties of Nasal Cartilage Preserved in Ethanol at 4°C versus Normal Saline at -18°C for Rhinoplasty Reuse

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original

Authors
Saeid Atighechi 1
Fatemeh Jabinian 2
Zahra Momenramazani 3
Saeed Hasani 4
Sedighe Vaziribozorg 1
1 Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
2 Department of Operating Room and Anesthesiology, School of Allied medical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
3 Master of science in operating room, University of medical sciences, Kashan, Iran
4 Department of Mining and Metallurgical engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22038/ijorl.2026.92496.4079
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties of nasal cartilage preserved in ethanol at 4 °C versus normal saline at -18 °C, with the goal of assessing their suitability for reuse in subsequent nasal surgeries.

Methods: Twenty nasal septal cartilage samples from patients who had undergone rhinoplasty were preserved for two months using two different methods. Ten cartilages were stored in alcohol at 4 °C, while the remaining ten were stored in normal saline at -18 °C. Additionally, a control group consisting of ten fresh cartilage samples was included for comparison. The mechanical properties (namely Young's modulus, fracture stress, yield stress, ductility, and tensile strength) were measured using a universal tensile testing machine STM-20 and analyzed to evaluate the effects of the preservation methods.

Results: Significant differences were observed between the groups in mean tensile strength, ductility, Young's modulus, and yield stress (P
Keywords
Nasal cartilage
Rhinoplasty
Secondary rhinoplasty
Mechanical properties
Subjects
Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 01 July 2026