Tissue Ingrowth After Implantation of a Novel, Biodegradable Polyurethane Scaffold for Treatment of Partial Meniscal Lesions

Background: A novel, biodegradable, aliphatic polyurethane scaffold was designed to fulfill an unmet clinical need in the treatment of patients with irreparable partial meniscal lesions.Hypothesis: Treatment of irreparable partial meniscal lesions with an acellular polyurethane scaffold supports new tissue ingrowth.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Fifty-two patients (with 34 medial and 18 lateral lesions) were recruited into a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, proof-of-principle study and treated with the polyurethane scaffold. The scaffold was implanted after partial meniscectomy using standard surgeon-preferred techniques for suturing. Tissue ingrowth was assessed at 3 months by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and at 12 months by gross examination during second-look arthroscopy, in the course of which a biopsy sample from the inner free edge of the scaffold meniscus was taken for qualitative histologic analysis.Results: Tissue ingrowth at 3 mont...