RESUMEN
BACKGROUND@#Atelocollagen is widely recognized as a biomaterial for regenerative medicine because of its good compatibility and low antigenicity. Injury of the outermost layer of articular cartilage, known as the lamina splendens, can lead to osteoarthritis (OA) and eventually full-thickness cartilage loss. The intra-articular injection of atelocollagen has been designed to restore the cartilage layer and cartilage defects in OA joints. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of atelocollagen as a cartilage supplement for joint defects. @*METHODS@#In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of atelocollagen in animals with cartilage defects. Femoral groove defects were artificially created in 12 male New Zealand white rabbits, which were treated with intra-articular injection of either atelocollagen (experimental) or normal saline (control). The results were observed 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks following macroscopic and histological evaluations. @*RESULTS@#At 3 weeks, cartilage tissue was restored in the experimental group, whereas the control group did not show signs of restoration. At 12 weeks, defects in both groups were filled with regenerated tissue, but the experimental group displayed a morphologically better appearance. Histologically, the regenerated tissue in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control group, with a structure similar to that of normal articular cartilage. @*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that the intra-articular injection of atelocollagen enhanced cartilage regeneration following rabbit patellar groove defects. Therefore, intra-articular injection of atelocollagen can be used as an effective supplement for joint defects.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND@#Atelocollagen is widely recognized as a biomaterial for regenerative medicine because of its good compatibility and low antigenicity. Injury of the outermost layer of articular cartilage, known as the lamina splendens, can lead to osteoarthritis (OA) and eventually full-thickness cartilage loss. The intra-articular injection of atelocollagen has been designed to restore the cartilage layer and cartilage defects in OA joints. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of atelocollagen as a cartilage supplement for joint defects. @*METHODS@#In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of atelocollagen in animals with cartilage defects. Femoral groove defects were artificially created in 12 male New Zealand white rabbits, which were treated with intra-articular injection of either atelocollagen (experimental) or normal saline (control). The results were observed 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks following macroscopic and histological evaluations. @*RESULTS@#At 3 weeks, cartilage tissue was restored in the experimental group, whereas the control group did not show signs of restoration. At 12 weeks, defects in both groups were filled with regenerated tissue, but the experimental group displayed a morphologically better appearance. Histologically, the regenerated tissue in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control group, with a structure similar to that of normal articular cartilage. @*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that the intra-articular injection of atelocollagen enhanced cartilage regeneration following rabbit patellar groove defects. Therefore, intra-articular injection of atelocollagen can be used as an effective supplement for joint defects.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the benefits of the cross leg free flap for the hereconstruction of soft tissue defects in replanted or revascularized lower extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1999, six cross leg free flap procedures were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in patients with a vascularly compromised lower limb after replantation or revascularization. Four male and two female patients were included in this study, and the average age of these patients was 34 years (from 22 to 56 years). This procedure was applied to four patients for soft tissue defects in the lower leg, and in two for foot reconstruction. RESULTS: All of the flaps survived after pedicle division. The average period of immobilization was 32 days (from 23 to 43 days). There were minor complications, such as joint stiffness, partial loss of skin graft and hematoma formation. CONCLUSION: The cross leg free flap provides the possibility for the reconstruction of complicated and unfavorable cases, otherwise considered, unreconstructable. The indication for this procedure is extensive soft tissue defect with lack of adequate recipient vessels, especially in patients after replantation or revascularization.