Incidence and distribution of blood vessels in punch biopsies of Palmer 1A disc lesions in the wrist.
BACKGROUND
Although the partial excision of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears appears to be a clinically effective technique, little is known about the ability of the central disc tears to heal. Unlike peripheral tears, central tears do not have immediate access to blood supply. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and distribution of blood vessels in punch biopsies of symptomatic central TFCC tissue. In addition, the study investigated if arthroscopic debridement can reach vascularized tissue to enable a reparative response of the tear.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with symptomatic central traumatic tears in the TFCC (Palmer 1A) were included in this study. The cartilage was debrided arthroscopically using a biopsy punch. The debrided tissue was then examined histologically. To visualize blood vessels, the histological sections were stained with CD 31 antibodies. The presence/absence of blood vessels was recorded on a qualitative level.


RESULTS
In six patients, five or more blood vessels (CD31 positive endothelial cells) could be detected. In eight patients, fewer than five vessels could be found in the periphery of the slides. In 18 patients no vessels could be identified. The incidence of vessels in the outer region was higher than in the inner region of the peripheral area. There was no correlation found between the time of trauma and incidence of blood vessels (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Only in 43% of arthroscopic debridements of Palmer 1A tears vascularized tissue could be reached.
Unglaub
Frank
F
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. frank.unglaub@uk-erlangen.de
Kroeber
Markus W
MW
Thomas
Susanne B
SB
Wolf
Maya B
MB
Arkudas
Andreas
A
Dragu
Adrian
A
Horch
Raymund E
RE
D001182:Arthroscopy; D001706:Biopsy; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012421:Rupture; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000473:pathology
D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1