OTSR - 2026-09-12 - Journal Article
Design and Application of Two Novel Assistive Devices in Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation for Talar Osteochondral Lesions: A Technical Note.
Chen Y, Li M, Fang Z, Liang X, Xia Y, Wang W, Li X, Cheng Y, Zhang H
Topics
Key Takeaway
Two novel AOT assistive devices (sizing template + impactor rod) yielded VAS improvement from 7.1 to 1.4 and MOCART score of 72.6 at mean 69.1 months in 34 patients with large talar OLTs.
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Summary
This retrospective case series evaluated two novel intraoperative devices—a sizing template for graft orientation and a custom impactor rod—used during AOT for large talar OLTs in 34 patients. VAS decreased from 7.1 to 1.4, AAS improved from 1.7 to 5.6, and mean MOCART score was 72.6 at final follow-up. No control group was included; outcomes reflect device-assisted AOT without comparison to standard OATS instrumentation.
Key Limitation
No control arm using standard OATS instrumentation means the incremental benefit of the novel devices over conventional technique cannot be determined.
Original Abstract
Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) is a standard treatment for large-sized osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT); however, the conventional OATS system used intraoperatively sometimes is suboptimal for meeting surgical demands. To address this, we designed two novel assistive devices: a sizing template to guide osteochondral graft orientation, and an impactor rod to facilitate graft insertion. These devices were evaluated in a retrospective consecutive case series of 34 patients (mean age, 44.5±11.8 years) with OLT who underwent AOT. At mean follow‑up of 69.1 ± 18.8 months, VAS pain score decreased from 7.1 ± 1.4 to 1.4 ± 0.7 (p<0.001), AAS score improved from 1.7 ± 0.6 to 5.6 ± 0.9 (p<0.001), FAAM score also significantly increased, and the final MRI‑based MOCART score was 72.6 ± 2.8. The new devices facilitated surgery, improved accuracy, and yielded good clinical outcomes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV; Retrospective Case Series.