[Mega-OATS. Technique and outcome]

Big osteochondral defects in the weight-bearing zone of the medial respectively the lateral femoral condyle are still an unsolved problem especially in younger patients. The transfer of the posterior aspect of the femoral condyle was described as a salvage procedure. Mega-OATS is a technical improvement of the transfer of the posterior condyle-procedure. Essential advantages of the conventional OATS-technique are integrated in the Mega-OATS procedure, so that iatrogenic lesions of the transferred cartilage by press-fit-fixation and secondary hardware removal can be avoided. However, the Mega-OATS procedure itself remains a salvage procedure and should only be reserved for younger patients. The results of the first series of 17 patients (average follow-up 12 (5-19) months) showed an improvement of quality of life and a significant (p = 0.003) increase in the Lysholm-score.