[New therapy procedure for localized cartilage defects. Encouraging results with autologous chondrocyte implantation]

Owing to the poor regenerative capacity of cartilage, cartilaginous defects are considered to represent pre-arthrotic factors. In addition to autologous and allogenic osteochondral fragments, proliferative tissue, such as periosteum and perichondrium are increasingly being used as graft material. The aim of treatment is to eliminate the defect and to restore the load-bearing capacity and function of the affected joint. A new, recently introduced, approach aims to stimulate the formation of new cartilage via autologous cultured chondrocyte implantation (ACI). The rationale for this treatment is the restoration of loadable hyaline or hyaline-like articular cartilage. Although long-term results are not yet available, clinical follow-up data obtained so far are encouraging. In addition to existing methods of treating cartilaginous defects, this article describes a modified method of transplantation of autologous chondrocytes. With this method the periosteal flap used to cover a defect is replaced by an absorbable collagenl/III membrane (Chondrogide, Geistlich Wolhusen, Switzerland) that is used as a carrier for the patient's own chondrocytes. After placement in the defect, the membrane is fixed in place with fibrin glue (MACI).