Histopomorphic Evaluation of Radiofrequency Mediated Débridement Chondroplasty

Overview

Journal Open Orthop J

Publisher Bentham Open

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2010 Aug 20

PMID 20721322

Citations 3

Authors

Kumkum Ganguly

Ian D McRury

Peter M Goodwin

Roy E Morgan

Wayne K Auge Ii

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The use of radiofrequency devices has become widespread for surgical ablation procedures. When ablation devices have been deployed in treatment settings requiring tissue preservation like débridement chondroplasty, adoption has been limited due to the collateral damage caused by these devices in healthy tissue surrounding the treatment site. Ex vivo radiofrequency mediated débridement chondroplasty was performed on osteochondral specimens demonstrating surface fibrillation obtained from patients undergoing knee total joint replacement. Three radiofrequency systems designed to perform débridement chondroplasty were tested each demonstrating different energy delivery methods: monopolar ablation, bipolar ablation, and non-ablation energy. Treatment outcomes were compared with control specimens as to clinical endpoint and histopomorphic characteristics. Fibrillated cartilage was removed in all specimens; however, the residual tissue remaining at the treatment site displayed significantly different characteristics attributable to radiofrequency energy delivery method. Systems that delivered ablation-based energies caused tissue necrosis and collateral damage at the treatment site including corruption of cartilage Superficial and Transitional Zones; whereas, the non-ablation system created a smooth articular surface with Superficial Zone maintenance and without chondrocyte death or tissue necrosis. The mechanism of radiofrequency energy deposition upon tissues is particularly important in treatment settings requiring tissue preservation. Ablation-based device systems can cause a worsened state of articular cartilage from that of pre-treatment. Non-ablation energy can be successful in modifying/preconditioning tissue during débridement chondroplasty without causing collateral damage. Utilizing a non-ablation radiofrequency system provides the ability to perform successful débridement chondroplasty without causing additional articular cartilage tissue damage and may allow for other cartilage intervention success.

Citing Articles

The Arthroscopic Application of Radiofrequency in Treatment of Articular Cartilage Lesions.

Lin C, Deng Z, Xiong J, Lu W, Chen K, Zheng Y Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022; 9:822286.

PMID: 35127679 PMC: 8811297. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.822286.

Does radiofrequency ablation (RFA) epiphysiodesis affect adjacent joint cartilage?.

Shiguetomi-Medina J, Rahbek O, Abood A, Stodkilde-Jorgensen H, Ramirez Garcia-Luna J, Moller-Madsen B J Child Orthop. 2016; 10(4):359-64.

PMID: 27278056 PMC: 4940242. DOI: 10.1007/s11832-016-0747-3.

Targeted In Situ Biosynthetic Transcriptional Activation in Native Surface-Level Human Articular Chondrocytes during Lesion Stabilization.

Ganguly K, McRury I, Goodwin P, Morgan R, Auge 2nd W Cartilage. 2015; 3(2):141-55.

PMID: 26069627 PMC: 4297128. DOI: 10.1177/1947603511426881.

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