Description
Meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) is considered and effective treatment to reduce knee
pain and improve the knee function in patients with the “post-meniscectomy” syndrome. However, in
the literature no studies have investigated the impact of sex mismatch between donor and recipient and their impact on graft survivorship. The aim of the study was to assess how sex mismatch may influence survival of MAT in a large series of patients who underwent MAT with soft tissue fixation at a single institution.
INTRODUCTION
MAT procedure is becoming popular, but graft availability remains one of major issue. Moreover, no studies have investigated the impact of conservation time, donor demograpich characteristics and the match/mismatch between donor and recipient factors on the outcomes of MAT.
AIMS
To investigate the effect of graft freezing-time, donor’s demographical characteristics (age, sex, body mass index (BMI)) and the effect of mismatch between donor and recipient on the survivorship of MAT.
METHODS
•Retrospective analysis of 364 consecutive MAT (Fresh-frozen (−80 °C) non-irradiated and non antigen-matched allografts)
•Inclusion Criteria:
- MAT with minimum 2 years of follow-up.
- Complete pre-operative demographics and clinical data
•Surgical Failure defined as Reintervention with partial or total MAT removal, TKA, UKA, infection.
RESULTS
•318 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria
•Mean FU 7.8 ±3.8 years
•No correlation found between surgical failure and graft freezing time or demographics of both donor and recipient
•Different surgical failure rate related to sex mismatch donor-recipient:
-Male-Male 6,3%
-Male-Female 27,3%
-Female-Male 0%
-Female-Female 6,7%
CONCLUSION
Mismatch between donor and recipient sex had a negative effect on MAT survival only when a meniscus from a male donor was transplanted in a female patients. Age and BMI of both donor and recipient does not seems to affect survivorship
