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Autologous chondrocyte transplantation in treating cartilage damage in the knee

Report type: Alert
Published: 1999-06-17  Revised: 2000-04-03
Contact person SBU: Sofia Tranæus  E-mail: tranaeus@sbu.se

Findings by SBU Alert

This is a translation of version 1, published on June 17, 1999. The latest version of this report is not available in English.

Autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) is a new treatment method for localized cartilage damage in the knee. No method within this field has been documented as being effective. The ACT method has demonstrated promising results in open, uncontrolled studies. There is moderate* evidence that the method, in certain patients, is effective in the short term. There is poor* evidence concerning the methods long-term effects, patient benefits, and cost-effectiveness.

Until further experience is gained from ongoing, controlled, randomized trials, application of this method should be limited to a few users and only within the framework of the ongoing, scientifically controlled studies. These studies should elucidate patient benefits, risks, and cost-effectiveness.

*This assessment by SBU Alert uses a 4-point scale to grade the quality and evidence of the scientific documentation. The grades indicate: (1) good, (2) moderate, (3) poor, or (4) no scientific evidence on the subject.

This summary is based on a report prepared at SBU in collaboration with Mats Brittberg, MD PhD, Kungsbacka Hospital, Assoc Prof Anders Lindahl, MD PhD, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Assoc Prof Lars Peterson, MD PhD, Gothenburg Medical Center. It has been reviewed by Assoc Prof Stefan Lohmander, MD PhD, Lund University Hospital.

Alert is a joint effort by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU), the Medical Products Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare, and the Federation of Swedish County Councils.

References

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