Editorial Commentary: The Use of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation Decreases the Presence of Large Cystic Changes at the Graft-Recipient Site Interface.

Abstract

There is well--reasoned enthusiasm for osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation as a treatment for full-thickness chondral lesions in the knee. Previous literature has shown that the success of this operation is largely predicated on successful osseous integration at the graft-recipient site interface. The soaking of OCA grafts in either platelet-rich plasma or bone marrow aspirate concentrate has been proposed as a method for enhancing the osteoinductive potential of the healing environment and, ultimately, improving clinical outcomes. However, the results of this approach have been mixed, and the utility of orthobiologic therapies as adjuncts to OCA transplantation has yet to be proved in a prospective, comparative trial. The addition of bone marrow aspirate concentrate may decrease the likelihood of large cystic changes at the graft-recipient site interface.