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. 2023 Aug 25;11(8):23259671231186990.
doi: 10.1177/23259671231186990. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Impact of Biologic Augmentation on Revision Surgery Rates After Meniscus Repair: A Matched-Cohort Analysis of 3420 Patients

Malik E Dancy  1 , Erick M Marigi  1 , Aaron J Krych  1 , Brian C Werner  2 , Christopher L Camp  1
Affiliations

Impact of Biologic Augmentation on Revision Surgery Rates After Meniscus Repair: A Matched-Cohort Analysis of 3420 Patients

Malik E Dancy et al. Orthop J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) have gained popularity in recent years as biologic approaches to potentially augment healing after meniscus repair. There have been few studies comparing outcomes in patients undergoing meniscus repair with versus without biologic augmentation and, furthermore, little clarity on the role of biologic augmentation for meniscus repairs performed with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose: To determine the association of BMAC or PRP augmentation with revision surgery after both isolated meniscus repair and meniscus repair performed concomitantly with ACLR.

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: The PearlDiver Mariner dataset was queried to identify all patients who underwent primary meniscus repair, both with and without concomitant ACLR, and who received ipsilateral BMAC or PRP at the time of surgery. Patients who underwent similar surgery but without BMAC or PRP augmentation were then identified and matched in a 5:1 ratio according to age, sex, body mass index, and various comorbidities to 3 separate BMAC/PRP augmentation groups: overall cohort (with and without ACLR), repair with concomitant ACLR, and isolated repair. The primary outcome was revision meniscus surgery (meniscectomy or revision meniscus repair).

Results: Overall, 3420 patients (570 with BMAC/PRP augmentation; 2850 matched controls without augmentation) were included. There were no significant differences in the reported demographics or comorbidities between any of the BMAC/PRP groups and their respective matched controls (P > .05 for all comparisons). There was no difference in revision rate between BMAC/PRP-augmented isolated meniscus repairs and matched controls (P = .235). Patients who underwent BMAC/PRP-augmented meniscus repair with concomitant ACLR experienced a significantly lower incidence of revision surgery compared with matched controls without BMAC/PRP augmentation (5.2% vs 7.9% respectively; odds ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.27-0.63; P < .001), but the number of revisions was relatively small.

Conclusion: There was no association between BMAC or PRP augmentation and the incidence of revision surgery after isolated primary meniscus repair. There was a statistically significant decrease in the rate of revision meniscus surgery when BMAC or PRP was used to augment meniscus repairs in the setting of concurrent ACLR; however, the overall revision rates were small.

Keywords: BMAC; PRP; bone marrow aspirate concentrate; concomitant ACL reconstruction; knee arthroscopy; meniscal tear; meniscus repair; platelet-rich plasma.

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Conflict of interest statement

One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: M.E.D. has received hospitality payments from Stryker. E.M.M. has received hospitality payments from Stryker. A.J.K. has received grant support from DJO; consulting fees from Arthrex, JRF Ortho, and Responsive Arthroscopy; nonconsulting fees from Arthrex; royalties from Arthrex; and honoraria from JRF Ortho. B.C.W. has received education payments from Arthrex, Fortis Surgical, and Supreme Orthopedic Systems; consulting fees from Arthrex; nonconsulting fees from Arthrex; and hospitality payments from Integra LifeSciences. C.L.C. has received education payments, consulting fees, and nonconsulting fees from Arthrex. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

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