Osteochondral Integration of Multiply Incised Pure Cartilage Allograft

• Published in: The American journal of sports medicine 2009-11, Vol.37 (1 suppl), p.50S
• Main Authors: Tamas Bardos, Boglarka Farkas, Beata Mezes, Jozsef Vancsodi, Krisztian Kvell, Tamas Czompoly, Peter Nemeth, Arpad Bellyei, Tamas Illes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0363-5465; 1552-3365
• DOI: 10.1177/0363546509350045

Background A focal cartilage lesion has limited capacity to heal, and the repair modalities used at present are still unable to provide a universal solution. Pure cartilage graft implantation appears to be a simple option, but it has not been applied widely as cartilage will not reattach easily to the subchondral bone. Hypothesis We used a multiple-incision technique (processed chondrograft) to increase cartilage graft surface. We hypothesized that pure cartilage graft with augmented osteochondral fusion capacity may be used for cartilage repair and we compared this method with other repair techniques. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Full-thickness focal cartilage defects were created on the medial femoral condyle of 9-month-old pigs; defects were repaired using various methods including bone marrow stimulation, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and processed chondrograft. After the repair, at weeks 6 and 24, macroscopic and histologic evaluation was carried out. Results Compared with other methods, processed chondrograft was found to be similarly effective in cartilage repair. Defects without repair and defects treated with bone marrow stimulation appeared slightly irregular with fibrocartilage filling. Autologous chondrocyte implantation produced hyalinelike cartilage, although its cellular organization was distinguishable from the surrounding articular cartilage. Processed chondrograft demonstrated good osteochondral integration, and the resulting tissue appeared to be hyaline cartilage. Conclusion The applied cartilage surface processing method allows acceptable osteochondral integration, and the repair tissue appears to have good macroscopic and histologic characteristics. Clinical Relevance If further studies confirm its efficacy, this technique could be considered for human application in the future.