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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Knee

Meniscal allograft transplantation in a symptomatic meniscal deficient knee: a systematic review

Authors: Nick A. Smith, Nicola MacKay, Matthew Costa, Tim Spalding

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The primary objective of this study was to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of meniscal allograft transplantation using patient reported outcome measures at final follow-up as the outcome tool. The secondary objective was to provide an up to date review of the indications, associated procedures, operative technique, rehabilitation, failures, complications, radiological outcomes, and graft healing.

Methods

Medline, Embase and CENTRAL databases, trials registries, and Web-of Science were searched for studies using pre-defined eligibility criteria. Included studies were reviewed with Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner scores, failures and complications pooled. Studies were also qualitatively assessed.

Results

There were 1,332 patients (1,374 knees) in 35 studies eligible for analysis. The mean follow-up was 5.1 years. Across all studies, Lysholm scores improved from 55.7 to 81.3, IKDC scores from 47.0 to 70.0, and Tegner activity scores from 3.1 to 4.7 between pre-operative and final follow-up assessments, respectively. The mean failure rate across all studies was 10.6 % at 4.8 years, and complication rate was 13.9 % at 4.7 years. There is a high risk of bias across the studies due to study design and missing outcomes.

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, meniscal allograft transplantation appears to be an effective intervention for patients with a symptomatic meniscal deficient knee. This should ideally be confirmed with a randomised controlled trial. There is not currently enough evidence to determine whether it is chondroprotective.
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Metadata
Title
Meniscal allograft transplantation in a symptomatic meniscal deficient knee: a systematic review
Authors
Nick A. Smith
Nicola MacKay
Matthew Costa
Tim Spalding
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3310-0

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