AUTOLOGOUS CHONDROCYTE GRAFTS EMBEDDED IN BIOMATERIAL FOR OSTEOCARTILAGE REPAIR

Purpose: Associating autologous chondrocytes with a biomaterial has the advantage of facilitating fixation of graft cells and simplifies reimplantation. To evaluate the feasibility, tolerance, and efficacy of the Cartipatch(r) product, we are conducting a phase IIb study.Material and methods: Cartilage (200–500 mg) was harvested arthroscopically from the lateral borders of the trochlea in the intercondylar space of damaged knees. After enzymatic digestion, the freed chondrocytes were cultured in monolayer in presence of autologous serum. The number of cells needed to achieve a concentration of 107/ml were suspended in an aragose and alginate solution. Before gelification, the suspension was poured into pits to obtain grafts measuring 10, 14 or 18 mm depending on the configuration of the lesion identified by MRI and arthroscopy. A specific instrument set was used to prepare one or two cavities for press fit insertion of the grafts. The grafts were justapositioned in order to best cover the damaged area.Nin...