Abstract
Aims: The objective of our study is to elucidate the chondrogenic potential of free autologous periosteal grafts in treating articular cartilage defects, especially in complicated cases where apart from the cartilage defect there are coexisting lesions. Methods: 60 young rabbits were randomly divided in 5 groups. A cartilage defect 0.5 ⋄ 0.5 was created in both knees of each rabbit and covered with free autologous periosteal graft. In the right knee an additional ligamentous lesion was created. Results: All the knees were amputated at one, two and three months postoperatively. Apart from the histological examination, the cartilage specimens were tested biomechanically. An indentation test was used using a Shore A sclerometer and the data were evaluated and compared. In the test group the produced fibrocartilage or hyaline-like cartilage, was mechanically inferior (hardness 50–70 GPa) comparing to the control knees group (98 GPa). The results were statistically evaluated (using O’Driscoll’s histological grading scale and Wilcoxon rank sum test). Conclusions: Autologous periosteal transplantation can be used in daily practise, as it is a method relatively easy to perform with low cost and without any contra-indications. Nevertheless, in cases of unstable knees the method has poor results and ligamentous repair is recommended first.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
