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We have previously shown that microfractured ovine defects are repaired with more hyaline cartilage when the defect is treated with in situ-solidified implants of chitosan–glycerol phosphate (chitosan–GP) mixed with autologous whole blood. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize chitosan–GP/blood clots in vitro, and (2) to develop a rabbit marrow stimulation model in order to determine the effects of the chitosan–GP/blood implant and of debridement on the formation of incipient cartilage repair tissue.

Blood clots were characterized by histology and in vitro clot retraction tests. Bilateral 3.5×4mm trochlear defects debrided into the calcified layer were pierced with four microdrill holes and filled with a chitosan–GP/blood implant or allowed to bleed freely as a control. At 1 day post-surgery, initial defects were characterized by histomorphometry (n=3). After 8 weeks of repair …