Feasibility of arthroscopic 3-dimensional, purely autologous chondrocyte transplantation for chondral defects of the hip: a case series.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe technical aspects of arthroscopic, purely autologous chondrocyte transplantation of the hip and to report short-term data of the postoperative outcome in a consecutive series of patients.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed six patients with a full-thickness chondral defect of the hip joint. The defect was treated with an arthroscopically applicable 3-dimensional purely autologous chondrocyte transplant product (chondrosphere(®); co.don(®) AG, Berlin, Germany) in a two-step surgical procedure. Patient-administered scores were assessed at baseline (day before transplantation) and at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months.


RESULTS
Six out of six initially included patients (five males, one female) with a median age of 32.5 years and an average defect size of 3.5 cm(2) were available for follow-up after a mean of 11.2 months. Five acetabular and one femoral defect were treated. An overall statistically significant improvement was observed for all assessment scores (NHS, mHHS and SF 36).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we displayed the feasibility and technical aspects of arthroscopic matrix-associated, purely autologous chondrocyte transplantation as a treatment option for full-thickness cartilage defects of the hip. The patient-administered assessment scores demonstrated an increase in activity level and quality of life after a 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
Level IV, retrospective study.
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Center, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor Kutzer Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
S
S
Fickert
T
T
Schattenberg
M
M
Niks
C
C
Weiss
S
S
Thier
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome