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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-05-2012 | Knee

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) in the knee

Authors: Davide Enea, Stefano Cecconi, Alberto Busilacchi, Sandra Manzotti, Rosaria Gesuita, Antonio Gigante

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has been in use for chondral defect repair since 2000, but to date, only little is known about its histological outcomes in the repair of knee cartilage defects. This prospective multicentre study aims to evaluate (1) the quality of the repair tissue obtained from biopsies taken during second-look arthroscopy and (2) the relationship between the histological outcome, the macroscopic appearance of the repair and the patients’ functional status.

Methods

Thirty-three second-look core biopsies from 30 patients treated with MACI were analysed. At the time of biopsy, the surgeon reported the reason for the second-look arthroscopy, the quality of the repair tissue and the patient’s functional status on a standardised form. Biopsies together with patient data were sent to our centre to undergo blind histological evaluation and data analysis.

Results

The median overall ICRS II histological score of the examined population was 57 (1st–3rd quartile 41–75). According to the ICRS cartilage repair assessment (CRA) arthroscopic evaluation, 10 biopsies (30%) were classified as normal, 17 (51%) as nearly normal, 4 (12%) as abnormal and 2 (6%) as severely abnormal. The histological outcome was not significantly related either to the macroscopic appearance of the lesion or to the patient’s functional status at the time of biopsy.

Conclusions

In the examined population, the macroscopic appearance of the repair tissue gave an overly favourable impression in comparison with the real histological composition of the tissue, which was possibly still maturing in many cases. The healing process after MACI needs to be better understood through a larger histological study, and a longer follow-up is needed to better clarify the relationship between histology and long-term functional status.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Title: Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) in the knee
Authors: Davide Enea
Stefano Cecconi
Alberto Busilacchi
Sandra Manzotti
Rosaria Gesuita
Antonio Gigante
Publication date: 01-05-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1639-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) in the knee

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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