Methods: In this study, eight domestic pigs (Sus Scrofa Domestica) with a mean age of six months were used. Following resection of the sixth and seventh costal cartilages, costal cartilage beds were assigned to three groups. In group 1, perichondrial sheaths were left open, while muscles and other layers were closed. In group 2, perichondrial sheaths were reciprocally sutured with a soluble material. In group 3, grafts of 3 mm cubes, prepared from the resected costal cartilages of each subject, were located in the perichondrial beds and closed.

Results: Costal cartilage regenerations in all three groups were scored and compared. Statistically significant differences were found among the groups (chi-square= 20.227, p<0.001). Group 1 had the lowest median score, compared to the other groups with a statistically significant difference. In group 3, the examination revealed that chondrocytes of newly developing fibrous cartilage were found to penetrate towards the cartilages located inside in seven of 20 preparations.

Conclusion: This study shows that autologous cartilage pieces left in the perichondrial space accelerate cartilage regeneration and lead to spontaneous self-oriented chondrocyte migration, contributing to the stability of thoracic wall.