BONE GRAFTS WITH PLATELET GEL AND AUTOLOGOUS STEM CELLS: RANDOMIZED STUDY

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect of lyophilised bone grafts, autologous platelet gel and autologous medullary cells on bone repair processes after tibial osteotomy for genu varum

Methods: Thirty patients, divided into 3 groups by the generation of random sampling numbers, were treated by valgus osteotomy for genu varum with a minimum correction of 8 mm and fixation using a titanium plate (TITAN plate® Citieffe).

The groups were thus divided:

Group 1: lyophilised bone chips.

Group 2: lyophilised bone chips + platelet gel

Group 3: lyophilised bone chips + platelet gel + packed autologous medullary cells (Buffy coat).

At six weeks X-rays, MRI and needle biopsies were carried out. The tissue underwent morphological and microstructural tests.

Results confirmed that the use of platelet gel and packed medullary cells as adjuvant for the lyophilised bone aid bone repair and graft integration. Morphological and morphometric tests showed that at six week the newly formed bone of group 3 had better mechanical properties.

Conclusions: This study shows that the use of platelet gel and packed autologous medullary cells combined with lyophilised bone chips produces a faster and mechanically stronger recovery of bone stock in the treatment of bone defects.