Histologic Analysis of 2 Alternative Donor Sites of the Ipsilateral Elbow in the Treatment of Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans

Editorial Commentary: “Elbow-to-Elbow” Capitellar Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation for Osteochondritis Dissecans—Are We Closer to the Holy Grail of Osteochondral Graft?

“…The current study by Bexkens et al 4 assures us that ipsilateral elbow-to-elbow OATS can be used to minimize donor-site morbidity. It provides valuable results to be applied to a centrally located capitellar OCD, which may eliminate the need to harvest from another source.…”

“…Many of these young athletes undergo OATS to restore the cartilage integrity as one of the factors in returning to sports. In the article "Histologic Analysis of 2 Alternative Donor Sites of the Ipsilateral Elbow in the Treatment of Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans," Bexkens, Hilgersom, Britstra, Savci-Heijink, van den Bekerom, de Boer, and Eygendaal 4 seek donor alternatives to decrease graft morbidity issues in a cadaveric model. The study mainly focused on comparing the histologic characteristics of the proposed alternative grafts from the ipsilateral elbow, namely, the non-articulating part of the radial head and lateral olecranon tip.…”

Arthroscopic Evaluation and Management of Osteochondritis Dissecans

“…In a recent cadaveric study, the nonarticulating part of the radial head and of the lateral side of the olecranon tip have been investigated as alternative donor sites. These two grafts seem to have a proper match in cartilage curvature and thickness [28]. The effect of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for capitellar OCD remains unclear.…”

Autologous Minced Cartilage Implantation for Arthroscopic One-Stage Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow

“…Advanced osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum represents a painful and functionally debilitating condition of the elbow joint in young and active patients. Arthroscopic and open therapeutic options include debridement with or without microfracturing/drilling, 1 autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis, 2 , 3 autologous osteochondral transfer/mosaicplasty, 4 , 5 allogeneic cartilage transplantation, 6 , 7 and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). 8 , 9 …”