[First clinical experiences with a novel 3D-collagen gel (CaReS) for the treatment of focal cartilage defects in the knee].
OBJECTIVE
In this prospective study we present a novel technique of matrix-based chondrocyte transplantation for the treatment of focal cartilage defects.


METHODS
22 patients with chondral or osteochondral femoral defects were treated with 3D-collagen type-I gel seeded with autologous chondrocytes (CaReS). Overall handling of this novel method is described, and results after 2 years follow-up with regard to the ICRS-score are presented.


RESULTS
14 patients were treated because of a focal chondral lesion, in 8 cases subchondral bone had to be reestablished. The average defect size was 6 cm(2). In all cases cell-seeded matrix samples could be fixed with fibrin glue without any problems. The average surgery time was 69 min, length of the surgical approach was 8.2 cm. No surgery-specific problems had to be observed. A significant improvement in IKDC-score, functional score and overall rating after 3 or 6 months up to 2 years follow-up was detected. After 2 years post-OP 13 Patients were evaluated and matrix-based defect treatment by CaReS was rated good to excellent by 84.6 % of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Defect treatment with cell-seeded 3D-collagen gel is easy to handle with a good clinical outcome after 2 years follow-up. Further investigations with higher patient number, longer follow-up time and histological and biomechanical sample analysis are needed in order to establish this method as an improvement of conventional ACT.
Andereya
S
S
Orthopädische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen. sandereya@ukaachen.de
Maus
U
U
Gavenis
K
K
Müller-Rath
R
R
Miltner
O
O
Mumme
T
T
Schneider
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D050724:Fractures, Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen