The Illustrative Osteochondral Cylinder Transfer Techniques for Cartilage Repair: The OATS Technique

Cartilage injuries of the knee can have myriad presentations and need to be managed appropriately based on the site, size, and merits of the case. The surgeries can be either reparative procedures or restorative techniques. Transfer of osteochondral plug(s) allows restoration of hyaline cartilage at the defect and is suitable even in the high-demand patients as it is associated with greater longevity, durability, and improved outcomes [1, 2]. It is done in a single stage without aggravated costs or extensive rehabilitation later [3]. This technique also provides better long-term survival compared to the microfracture technique when matched for age or size of lesion [4]. Although suitable for the defects up to 2.5 cm2, it can be used to cover the defects as large as 4 cm2. The disadvantage of this technique is related to the donor-site morbidity (for autografts) and the contour mismatch. The baseline factors predicting good outcome are single lesion, normal cartilage around the lesion, higher baseline Lysholm score, shorter duration of symptoms, normal patellofemoral joint, young age, and small defect size [5].