Comparison of healing intra-articular fracture of distal femur using a Kirschner wire and autologous fibrin glue in an animal model.

Considering different surgical techniques for the fixation of osteochondral intra-articular fracture, the present study aimed to compare the efficacy of autologous fibrin glue and Kirschner wire (KW) on an osteochondral fracture in the left lateral condyle of Dutch rabbits with a control group. After 6 weeks, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation showed that autologous fibrin glue is easier and faster with a higher number of bone trabecula (P<0.05), whereas the healing rate and cellularity of the healing site were not different between the two groups (KW and glue). The use of autologous fibrin glue can be an alternative to KW fixation in the fixation of osteochondral fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.