[Treatment of patellofemoral cartilage defects utilizing a 3D collagen gel: two-year clinical results].
OBJECTIVE
Here we present first clinical results of the treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions with a 3D collagen gel (CaReS).


METHODS
Isolated patellofemoral cartilage lesions in 14 patients (13 patellar, 1 trochlear) were treated by matrix-based ACT using a collagen gel seeded with autologous chondrocytes. In this study, only those patients were taken into account who complied with the inclusion criteria of the German working group "tissue regeneration and tissue substitutes". Data were analysed in accordance with the ICRS criteria and the Brittberg score. We present the 2-year postoperative clinical follow-up.


RESULTS
After 2 years the ICRS-IKDC and Brittberg scores revealed a statistically significant improvement. The preoperative rating of the objectiveIKDC and functional ICRS score improved from 0/14 and 2/14 (14.3%) to 11/14 (78.6%) in the categories A/B and I/II, respectively. 11 Patients(78.6%) judged the clinical outcome as excellent or good. The subjective IKDC score improved from 32.4 +/- 8.4 prior to operation to 67.8 +/- 27.4 at the 2-years follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 3D matrix systems could represent a promising improvement of conventional ACT in the treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions, but the results have to be verified by long-term investigations.
Andereya
S
S
Orthopädische Universitätsklinik der RWTH Aachen, Aachen. sandereya@ukaachen.de
Maus
U
U
Gavenis
K
K
Gravius
S
S
Stanzel
S
S
Müller-Rath
R
R
Miltner
O
O
Mumme
T
T
Schneider
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; 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*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen