Objective: We present the results of an experimental study in sheep on using autogenous, cylindrical osteochondral grafts for treating cartilage defects in the knee. The aim was to produce hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage on weight-bearing surfaces through autogenous osteochondral transplantation using special instrumentation and the mosaicplasty technique.
Methods: We used a sheep model – cartilage defects were made in the knees of 16 young sheep from the Tigaia breed. At 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively macroscopic, radiologic and microscopic examinations were performed on the transplanted sites and the donor sites.
Results: We found that grafts incorporated well in the recipient sites, showing good survivorship. Joint congruency was maintained, with 75 to 80% hyaline cartilage at the transplanted site.
Conclusions: Our results lead us to conclude that mosaic-like osteochondral grafting is an excellent treatment method for repairing chondral defects in major joints.
Results of Osteochondral Mosaic Grafting in a Sheep Model
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