Free Synovium Autografts in Articular Cartilage Defects in the Rabbits
Ismail Cengiz TUNCAY, Bahar MUEZZINOGLU, Beyhan DEMIRHAN, Zekeriya Ugur ISIKLAR, Reha TANDOGAN, Aydin YUCETURK
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Baskent University Medical School Besevler, Ankara, Turkey
Keywords: Synovial Auto-Transplantation, Hyaline Cartilage Defects.
Abstract
The healing potential of hyaline cartilage defects with and without synovial transplantations were studied. Hyaline articular cartilage defects were created in the knees of the rabbits either in the weight bearing areas or non-weight bearing areas of the medial femoral condyles. Half of the defects were covered with synovium autografts. The rabbits were left free without any immobitization. After six months the knees were examined, clinically and histologically. The defects with synovial transplantations in the non-weight bearing areas of the knees were covered with hyaline cartilage, but the defects with synovial transplantations in the weight-bearing areas healed partially with hyaline cartilage. The defects without synovial transplantations healed with granulation tissue.