The healing effect of bioglue in an experimental rabbit model of femoral condyle articular cartilage defect

Background : knee articular cartilage full-thickness defects have a poor healing capacity and may progress to osteoarthritis and the need for knee replacement. This study was performed to determine the healing effect of Bio Glue in medial femoral condyle articular cartilage full-thickness defects using the rabbit as an animal model. Materials and Methods : Forty-eight male rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups (A-D). In group A, 4-mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles. A graft from the xiphoid cartilage was transplanted into the defect together with a designed Bio Glue and the knees were closed. In group B, the articular cartilage defect was created in the same way as in group A, but the defect size was 6 mm. In group C, 4- and 6-mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles, respectively. The graft was transplanted into the defects and the knees were sutured. In group D, articular cartilage defects were created similar to those in group C, but filled with Bio Glue and closed. The rabbits were euthanized and sub-grouped as A1 to D1 after 30 days and A2 to D2 after 60 days. Cartilage samples from the different experimental groups were examined macroscopically and histologically for any differences between the groups. Results : microscopic and macroscopic observations showed that Bio Glue had a significant healing effect in the femoral condyle. Conclusions : Addition of Bio Glue alone can effectively promote the healing of articular cartilage defects.