A new bioabsorbable cotton-textured synthetic polymer scaffold for osteochondral repair

We have previously reported that a cylindrical bioabsorbable synthetic polymer scaffold made of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) can be used to repair osteochondral defects without using cultured cells in a rabbit model. This cylindrical scaffold has a solid and pre-formed design, which limits its widespread application. Therefore, we created a cotton-textured PLG scaffold, which would be superior to other scaffolds in terms of plastic property and operability. The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of the cotton-textured PLG scaffold in the repair of osteochondral defects.

Cotton-textured PLG scaffolds were prepared using the electrospinning method and used to repair osteochondral defects produced on the right femoral condyle in 36 rabbits. As a control, the defect was left untreated. The outcomes of repair were examined histologically at postoperative weeks four, eight, and 12.

In the untreated control group, the surface of the defect remained concave and the regenerated cartilaginous tissue partially covered the articular surface even at postoperative week 12. In the scaffold group, cartilaginous tissue covered the surface of the defect at postoperative week four, and the surface was smooth and the cartilaginous tissue was well regenerated and integrated with the native cartilage at postoperative week 12.

The cotton-textured PLG scaffold could repair the osteochondral defect with good outcomes similar to those previously reported for the cylindrical scaffold, with its characteristic advantages of better plasticity and operability. We conclude that the cotton-textured PLG scaffold has potential for clinical application in comminuted osteochondral injury.