[The value of autologous osteochondral paste for in-vitro treatment of damage to articular cartilage. Part I. Macroscopic and microscopic assessment of the regenerated articular surface].

The limited ability of articular cartilage to regenerate after trauma has been the main reason for research of new repair techniques. The aim of this paper was to assess in in-vitro conditions the value of autologous osteochondral of pulp--macroscopic analysis of the regenerated articular surface and microscopic assessment of the dominant tissue in the regenerate. The experimental model consisted of a full-depth cartilage defect of the articular surface of the distal femur in rabbits. The animals were subdivided into 3 groups: group A--with defect with osteochondral of pulp, group B--with defects filled with osteochondral of pulp covered by periosteum, group C--defect untreated. After observation periods of 4, 8 and 12 weeks the regenerates were assessed using the Brittberg and O'Driscoll scale. In the overall macroscopic assessment group A prevailed because of the best defect filling. Microscopic assessment showed that in group A the defect had been filled with cartilage very similar to hyaline cartilage (hyaline--like cartilage). Basing on the result of the experiment, we assume that osteochondral of pulp has chondrogenic properties.