TY - JOUR A2 - Wu, Min-Hsien AU - Dewan, Ashvin K. AU - Gibson, Matthew A. AU - Elisseeff, Jennifer H. AU - Trice, Michael E. PY - 2014 DA - 2014/08/18 TI - Evolution of Autologous Chondrocyte Repair and Comparison to Other Cartilage Repair Techniques SP - 272481 VL - 2014 AB - Articular cartilage defects have been addressed using microfracture, abrasion chondroplasty, or osteochondral grafting, but these strategies do not generate tissue that adequately recapitulates native cartilage. During the past 25 years, promising new strategies using assorted scaffolds and cell sources to induce chondrocyte expansion have emerged. We reviewed the evolution of autologous chondrocyte implantation and compared it to other cartilage repair techniques. Methods. We searched PubMed from 1949 to 2014 for the keywords “autologous chondrocyte implantation” (ACI) and “cartilage repair” in clinical trials, meta-analyses, and review articles. We analyzed these articles, their bibliographies, our experience, and cartilage regeneration textbooks. Results. Microfracture, abrasion chondroplasty, osteochondral grafting, ACI, and autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis are distinguishable by cell source (including chondrocytes and stem cells) and associated scaffolds (natural or synthetic, hydrogels or membranes). ACI seems to be as good as, if not better than, microfracture for repairing large chondral defects in a young patient’s knee as evaluated by multiple clinical indices and the quality of regenerated tissue. Conclusion. Although there is not enough evidence to determine the best repair technique, ACI is the most established cell-based treatment for full-thickness chondral defects in young patients. SN - 2314-6133 UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/272481 DO - 10.1155/2014/272481 JF - BioMed Research International PB - Hindawi Publishing Corporation KW - ER -