Perichondrial arthroplasty in a canine elbow model: comparison of vascularized and nonvascularized techniques.

The purpose of this study was to use a canine model to compare the ability of vascularized and nonvascularized perichondrial grafts to resurface an experimental joint defect. In five adult mongrel dogs, a 3×2 cm segment of perichondrium, subtended by the intercostal-internal mammary vessels, was harvested and transplanted to a surgically created defect on the ulnar condyle of the humerus. A similar defect in the opposite elbow was repaired with a 3×2 cm standard perichondrial graft. Five untreated dogs acted as normal controls. The dogs were allowed to mobililze freely for a period of 6 months