MENISCAL REPAIR ENHANCED BY AN INTERPOSITIONAL FREE SYNOVIAL AUTOGRAFT - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN RABBITS

This report describes the methods and effectiveness of interpositional free synovial autografts (IPFSAs) in promoting the healing of lesions in the avascular portion of the knee joint meniscus in rabbits. Thirt y-four specimens were divided into two groups: 17 in the study group a nd 17 in the control group. The medial meniscus of the left knee joint was excised in each rabbit, and an artificial longitudinal tear was c reated in the avascular zone of the meniscus. In the study group, an I PFSA was sewn into the tear with a single horizontal suture. In the co ntrol group, the tear was repaired without synovium in the same manner . The menisci were then implanted into the right knee joint in the res pective animals. At intervals the animals were killed, and the menisci were examined grossly and microscopically. Three menisci were elimina ted because they had become attached to the synovial wall. In the stud y group, the lesion completely healed by 4 weeks, except for one. The menisci in the control group never completely healed, particularly at the deeper levels of the lesion. At 8-16 weeks, autolysis of the speci mens made microscopic examination difficult and unreliable in both gro ups. Based on these results, it has been concluded that an IPFSA can p romote the healing process in the avascular zone of a torn meniscus in rabbits and that systemic vascularity to the synovium or the meniscus is not essential for healing to occur.