Combination of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS) for surgical repair of larger cartilage defects of the knee joint. A review illustrated by a case report.

KNEE surgery; ARTICULAR cartilage; AUTOGRAFTS; CARTILAGE cells; LONGITUDINAL method; MEDLINE; ONLINE information services; ORTHOPEDIC surgery; SURGERY

Objectives: Modern orthopaedic surgery provides a variety of techniques for cartilage repair. Despite comprehensive scientific data about the single procedures, there is little experience with the combination of these methods. Inspired by a case from our clinic, we performed a PubMed based literature search about the combination of cartilage restoration principles.Materials and Methods: The literature search was performed using the terms: ``mosaicplasty'' OR ``osteochondral transplantation'' OR ``OATS'' AND ``autologous chondrocyte implantation'' OR ``autologous chondrocyte transplantation'' OR ``ACI'' OR ``matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation'' OR ``MACI'' AND ``combination''. Abstracts were revised for relevance to our case. Additionally, we present a case report of the combinatory use of three established techniques.Results: Two relevant publications, both reporting satisfying results concerning postoperative functional outcome, were found. Our results confirm this first encouraging assessment, although statistically valid data and prospective studies are still missing.Conclusions: The simultaneous use of different techniques for cartilage repair may provide alternative operative solutions for single complex cases, although further studies are required for a general recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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