Partial meniscal substitution using acellular scaffolds in selected
patients with irreparable loss of tissue may be a safe and promising procedure.
However, there is only 1 randomized controlled study supporting its application,
and globally, many methodologic issues of published trials limit further
conclusions. We registered a different trend in preclinical trials, with most
considering augmentation of scaffolds by cells and/or GFs, as opposed to the
predominantly acellular approach in clinical trials. Different TERM approaches to
enhance meniscal repair or regeneration are in preclinical analysis, such as the
use of mesenchymal stem cells, gene therapy, and GFs alone or in combination, and
thus could be considered in the design of subsequent trials.
