Screen-enrich-combine circulating system to prepare MSC/β-TCP for bone repair in fractures with depressed tibial plateau.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell/beta-tricalcium phosphate composites (MSC/beta-TCP) prepared with a screen-enrich-combine circulating system (SECCS) in patients with depressed tibial plateau fractures. Materials & methods: Bone defects in depressed tibial plateaus were filled with MSC/beta-TCP (n=16) or with beta-TCP only (n=23). Enrichment efficiency and effect of enrichment on cell viability were evaluated. Clinical results were assessed by imaging examination and Lysholm score. Results: SECCS effectively integrated MSCs with beta-TCP. At 18 months postimplantation, new bone ratio was significantly higher in patients treated with MSC/beta-TCP than in those treated with beta-TCP only (p=0.000). Patients with MSC/beta-TCP implants had better functional recovery (p=0.028). Conclusion: MSC/beta-TCP prepared by SECCS were effective in the treatment of bone defects in patients with depressed tibial plateau fractures, promoted bone regeneration and improved joint function recovery.