HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (14) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pearsall, A. W. Articles by Heitman, R. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pearsall, A. W., IV Articles by Heitman, R. J. Related Collections Chondral/cartilage Histology

Chondrocyte Viability in Refrigerated Osteochondral Allografts Used for Transplantation Within the Knee

Albert W. Pearsall, IV, MD^*,, J. Allan Tucker, MD, Raymond B. Hester, PhD and Robert J. Heitman, PhD^||

From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Department of Pathology, the Department of Microbiology, and the ^|| Department of Health Sciences, University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile, Alabama

^* Address correspondence and reprint requests to Albert W. Pearsall, IV, MD, Director, Section of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2451 Fillingim Street, Mobile, AL 36617.

Purpose: To evaluate cell viability and matrix characteristics of refrigerated osteochondral allografts implanted up to 44 days after harvest.

Methods: Sixteen refrigerated allografts underwent histologic and ultrastructural examination and fluorescence excitation analysis prior to implantation. The average size of the graft implanted was 6.2 cm² (±3.4 cm²). Refrigerated allografts averaged 30 days (range, 17 to 44 days) from donor expiration to implantation. Nine specimens underwent cell viability testing. The percent viability of refrigerated allografts prior to implantation averaged 67%.

Results: No significant correlations were noted between histologic score, electron microscopy score, matrix staining percent (MSP) score, and viability. When time to implantation was assessed, an inverse correlation was noted with MSP score (r = .539) (P < 0.05), indicating less matrix staining in grafts refrigerated longer after harvest.

Conclusion: The current data indicate that refrigerated osteochondral allografts can be maintained for up to 44 days with average chondrocyte viability of 67%.

Key Words: allograft • cartilage • viability • knee • osteochondral

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Lightfoot, J. Martin, and A. Amendola Fluorescent Viability Stains Overestimate Chondrocyte Viability in Osteoarticular Allografts Am. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2007; 35(11): 1817 - 1823. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Davidson, D. W. Rivenburgh, P. E. Dawson, and R. Rozin Clinical, Histologic, and Radiographic Outcomes of Distal Femoral Resurfacing With Hypothermically Stored Osteoarticular Allografts Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2007; 35(7): 1082 - 1090. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Williams III, A. S. Ranawat, H. G. Potter, T. Carter, and R. F. Warren Fresh Stored Allografts for the Treatment of Osteochondral Defects of the Knee J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., April 1, 2007; 89(4): 718 - 726. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. McCulloch, R. W. Kang, M. H. Sobhy, J. K. Hayden, and B. J. Cole Prospective Evaluation of Prolonged Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Femoral Condyle: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2007; 35(3): 411 - 420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Glenn Jr, E. C. McCarty, H. G. Potter, S. F. Juliao, J. D. Gordon, and K. P. Spindler Comparison of Fresh Osteochondral Autografts and Allografts: A Canine Model Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2006; 34(7): 1084 - 1093. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. T. Pennock, C. M. Robertson, F. Wagner, F. L. Harwood, W. D. Bugbee, and D. Amiel Does Subchondral Bone Affect the Fate of Osteochondral Allografts During Storage? Am. J. Sports Med., April 1, 2006; 34(4): 586 - 591. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. T. Allen, C. M. Robertson, A. T. Pennock, W. D. Bugbee, F. L. Harwood, V. W. Wong, A. C. Chen, R. L. Sah, and D. Amiel Analysis of Stored Osteochondral Allografts at the Time of Surgical Implantation Am. J. Sports Med., October 1, 2005; 33(10): 1479 - 1484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]