Purpose: This study investigated the feasibility of repairing defects of the condylar articular cartilage by chondrocyte allotransplantation.
Material and methods: A full-thickness defect (2 mm diameter) was made in the condylar articular cartilage of 6-month-old rabbits with a No. 701 dental fissure bur that penetrated both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone, and entered the marrow cavity. Sixty-four animals were divided into 5 groups. In the cell transplantation group (20 rabbits), the defect was filled with a collagen membrane embedded with chondrocytes of neonate rabbits cultured in vitro for 1 week. In control group 1 (18 rabbits), the defect was left untreated. In control group 2 (18 rabbits), the defect was filled with a collagen membrane without chondrocytes. In sham-operation control group (6 rabbits), the condyle surface was exposed but left unchanged. Two rabbits were added as a normal control group. Mandibular movement was not restricted postoperatively. The macroscopic and microscopic features of the condyles were observed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 20 weeks following surgery.
Results: The defects in the condylar articular cartilage were repaired with cartilage tissue after cell transplantation.
Conclusion: A defect in the condylar articular cartilage can be repaired with articular cartilage-like tissue by allotransplantation of chondrocytes.