Abstract
Autologous chondrocyte transplantation is technically feasible and biologically relevant to repairing disc damage and retarding disc degeneration in animal models. Prospective clinical trials with open discectomy, cultivation of disc cells and transplantation by a minimally invasive procedure are ongoing (co.don chondro-transplant DISC).
We used the decompressor (Stryker) for percutaneous lumbar discectomy to harvest disc cells for cultivation. A cannula was placed in the degenerated disc. The 1,5mm decompressor was introduced through the cannula. 0,5–1,5 millilitres of disc material was aspirated. In the laboratory the material was cultured using the patients serum. The cells were expandable. The capacity of the cells to produce matrix molecules was proven in vitro.
The percutaneous discectomy of contained discs with signes of early degeneration, the expansion and the transplantation of autologous chondrocytes to the disc might be a possibility of repairing disc damage and retarding disc degeneration.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
