Extract
Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a widely used technique for treating
cartilage
lesions1-10.
The technique, first introduced and described by Brittberg et al. in
199411, required an
arthrotomy of the joint, débridement of the lesions, and the suturing
of a periosteal flap to create a pocket to host the chondrocytes. Autologous
chondrocyte implantation in the knee joint has provided hyaline-like repair
tissue11-16,
with satisfactory clinical results in 80% to 90% of
patients1,7,17.
Moreover, autologous chondrocyte implantation has been shown to be a valid
alternative to the mosaicplasty and microfracture repair techniques used in
the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the
knee1,6,13,17-20.