Background
Costal chondrocyte-derived pellet-type autologous chondrocyte implantation(CCP-ACI) has been introduced as a new therapeutic option for treatment of articular cartilage defect. We had previously conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing CCP-ACI versus microfracture at 1 year. Patients were followed up at 5 years for clinical and radiological evaluation.
Purpose
To study the efficacy and safety results at 5 years of CCP-ACI versus microfracture.
Methods
This article describes the 5-year follow-up of a previous prospective clinical trial that compared the results of CCP-ACI versus microfracture at 1-year follow-up. Of the 30 patients from the CCP-ACI group that were described in the previous study, 25 were followed-up. Clinical outcomes score and magnetic resonance imaging was performed at last follow-up.
Results
MOCART scores improved significantly from baseline to 5 years postoperatively only in the CCP-ACI group (P < 0.0001). The MOCART scores in the CCP-ACI group was significantly greater than that in the MFx group at 5 years (70.9 vs 26.7, P < 0.0001). The Lysholm score and KOOS score in the CCP-ACI group was significantly greater than that in the MFx group at 5 years (84.5 vs 64.9 and 390.9 vs 303.0, P = 0.023 and P = 0.038, respectively).
Conclusion
Treatment of cartilage defects with CCP-ACI yielded better clinical and radiologic outcome compared to microfracture at 5 years.