Membrane scaffolds for matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee: a systematic review

Chondral defects of the knee are common and their management is challenging. Current scientific literature published in PubMed, Google scholar, Embase and Scopus. Membrane-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (mACI) has been used to manage chondral defects of the knee. Hyaluronic acid membrane provides better outcomes than a collagenic membrane for mACI in the knee at midterm follow-up is controversial. To investigate whether hyaluronic acid membrane may provide comparable clinical outcomes than collagenic membranes for mACI in focal defects of the knee. Hyaluronic acid membrane yields a lower rate of failures and revision surgeries for mACI in the management of focal articular cartilage defects of the knee compared with collagenic scaffolds at midterm follow-up. No difference was found in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Further comparative studies are required to validate these results in a clinical setting.