title: Repair of horizontal meniscal cleavage tears with exogenous fibrin clots.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A novel indication and technique using exogenous fibrin clots to repair horizontal cleavage tears of the meniscus is presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vertical sutures were placed on the meniscus using FasT-Fix (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA, USA), and exogenous fibrin clots were inserted within the cleft to promote healing and to preserve function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeat arthroscopy showed healing and closure of the cleft of the meniscus without affecting the articular cartilage. Three medial and six lateral menisci were treated, and all of the patients showed improvements in their functional scores and their quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that the exogenous fibrin clots act as a scaffold to promote the healing process and that growth factors in the fibrin clots had a beneficial effect on meniscal healing. This procedure should be considered to treat degenerative menisci for which repair options have been limited until now.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Gunma Sports Medicine Research Center, Zenshukai Hospital, Maebashi, Japan. arthrotammy@aol.com
authors.forename: Tamiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamimura
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D005337:Fibrin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin