http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/ en-us Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:50:14 GMT Silverchair editor@pubs.jamanetwork.com webmaster@pubs.jamanetwork.com http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1387933 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Oliaei S, Manuel C, Karam B, et al. <span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Objective</div>To report the first successful study to date of in vivo electromechanical reshaping of ear cartilage in a rabbit model.<div class="boxTitle">Methods</div>Ears of New Zealand white rabbits were reshaped using percutaneous needle electrode electromechanical reshaping (5 V for 4 minutes) and were then bolstered for 4 weeks. Ten ears were treated, with 2 undergoing sham procedures and serving as controls. The treatment was performed using a platinum array of electrodes consisting of 4 parallel rows of needles inserted across the region of flexures in the ear. After 4 weeks, the animals were killed, and the ears were photographed and sectioned for conventional light microscopy and confocal microscopy (live-dead fluorescent assays).<div class="boxTitle">Results</div>Significant shape change was noted in all the treated ears (mean, 102.4°; range, 87°-122°). Control ears showed minimal shape retention (mean, 14.5°; range, 4°-25°). Epidermis and adnexal structures were preserved in reshaped ears, and neochondrogenesis was noted in all the specimens. Confocal microscopy demonstrated a localized zone of nonviable chondrocytes (<2.0 mm in diameter) surrounding needle sites in all the treated ears.<div class="boxTitle">Conclusions</div>Electromechanical reshaping can alter the shape of the rabbit auricle, providing good creation and retention of shape, with limited skin and cartilage injury. Needle electrode electromechanical reshaping is a viable technique for minimally invasive tissue reshaping, with potential applications in otoplasty, septoplasty, and rhinoplasty. Further studies to refine dosimetry parameters will be required before clinical trials.</span> 1 5 10.1001/2013.jamafacial.2 http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1387933