Neochondrogenesis in repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects using free autogenous periosteal grafts in the rabbit. A follow-up in six months

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the repair of lesions of articular cartilage with periosteum-free implants and follow-up at 6 months. Design: Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits, 4-6 weeks old, were used. Full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the medial femoral condyle were created. Spontaneous evolution occurred in 18 animals; the other 18 animals were treated with a free autogenous periosteal tibial implant fixed with Tissucol®. Animals were killed in groups of six at 8, 12 and 24 weeks. Macroscopic, histologic and histochemical results were evaluated and analysed statistically using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: The spontaneous evolution of the lesion did not lead to complete repair in any case. The periosteum-free implant provided complete repair of the lesion and statistically significant restoration of the articular surface. Conclusions: In the rabbit, this study confirms the incomplete spontaneous repair of articular cartilage and the chondrogenic potential of tibial periosteum-free implants, with long-term maintenance of the macroscopic, histologic and histochemical characteristics of neo-cartilage. This raises the possibility of its use as an alternative method in the repair of circumscribed osteochondral lesions in young patients. (C) 2000 OsteoArthritis Research Society International.