[Experimental study on interpositional arthroplasty using collagen membrane].

Abstract

The efficacy of collagen membrane was compared with that of fascia for interpositional arthroplasty in 45 knee joints of rabbits. Under general anesthesia, a parapatellar incision was made in the right knee and the articular cartilage of the femur and tibia was removed. Then either atelocollagen membrane derived from bovine tendon or autogenous fascia was placed over the femoral condylar defect. The animals were subsequently sacrificed after 3 to 12 weeks, and the right knee joints were removed for histological and roentogenological examination. At six weeks after interposition of the collagen membrane, the femoral and tibial defects were both covered with fibrocartilage. The joint space was preserved throughout the postoperative period. Radiological examination showed that the articular surfaces of the femur and tibia underwent smoothing and remodelling in a time-dependent manner. In contrast, the knee joints with fascia grafts showed the development of adhesions even at 3 weeks, and the joint cavity was filled with scar tissue at 12 weeks. Thus, the present study indicated that collagen membrane may be clinically efficient for interpositional arthroplasty.