[Mosaicplasty]

Abstract

Basic science and clinical results of autogenous osteochondral graft were reviewed. The operative technique of osteochondral graft gave no bad effect on the grafted plug cartilage in respect of the mechanical properties. In rabbit, the stiffness of grafted cartilage at postoperative 8 weeks was significantly lower than the normal cartilage stiffness, the stiffness at postoperative weeks 12 and 24 was the same as normal cartilage and the stiffness at postoperative 52 weeks was significantly higher than the normal cartilage. In human, the stiffness at postoperative 1 year was the same as normal cartilage. The indication of this procedure was traumatic cartilage defect, osteochondritis dissecans, osteonecrosis and the early stage of osteoarthritis, and the elbow and ankle joints as well as knee joints were also included. The short-term clinical result of this procedure was good, and we had no symptoms on the donor site. However, the long-term follow-up of this procedure is needed.