The purpose of this experimental study was to compare the chondrogenic capacity of both perichondrium and periosteal free grafts in lesions affecting all the articular chondral thickness of the patella. A total of 18 white New Zeland rabbits with a weight ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 kg were operated. A chondral lesion of 6 mm of diameter and 3 mm in depth was performed at the articular surface of the patella. The lesion was repair with either a perichondrium (6 animals) or a periosteal free graft (6 animals). In other 6 animals, the control group, the lesions was not repaired. All animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery. Histologic studies were performed using a modified O''Discoll''s scale. Statistically significant differences were found between the control group and the two groups in which the lesions were repaired, but not between lesions treated with perichondrium and periosteal grafts.

The purpose of this experimental study was to compare the chondrogenic capacity of both perichondrium and periosteal free grafts in lesions affecting all the articular chondral thickness of the patella. A total of 18 white New Zeland rabbits with a weight ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 kg were operated. A chondral lesion of 6 mm of diameter and 3 mm in depth was performed at the articular surface of the patella. The lesion was repair with either a perichondrium (6 animals) or a periosteal free graft (6 animals). In other 6 animals, the control group, the lesions was not repaired. All animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery. Histologic studies were performed using a modified O''Discoll''s scale. Statistically significant differences were found between the control group and the two groups in which the lesions were repaired, but not between lesions treated with perichondrium and periosteal grafts.