[Transplantation of the meniscus. Experimental study]

An experimental study has been made of the possibility of meniscus grafting. This was carried out in 30 merino sheep, 15 of which received lyophilised homologous menisci and 15 others deep-frozen homologous menisci. Three sheep had to be excluded because of wound breakdown and sepsis. The other animals were examined and the transplants assessed clinically, microscopically, micro-angiographically and by scanning electron microscopy over a period of 48 weeks; finally they were submitted to biomechanical tests. Both techniques are suitable for transplantation but, over the period of observation, the lyophilised grafts remodelled completely. At the end, the mechanical resistance of the meniscus was identical in the two groups.