An Insertion Device for Effective Delivery of Fibrin Clot to the Meniscus Tear

Abstract

The menisci have a poor intrinsic healing capability. Biological augmentation is used to promote meniscal healing in conjunction with suture techniques as the result of their poor healing rate. A fibrin clot (FC) is a well-known treatment option for meniscal injuries that are difficult to heal. Several methods for delivering FCs to target sites have been reported; however, all available methods have drawbacks such as unstable delivery, low maneuverability, and/or clot sizes that are too large. We use a dedicated device to efficiently deliver FCs of a suitable size for the tear. In this method, an FC formed to a size of 5 mm is stored and delivered in a thin syringe with a built-in plunger. This method enables an accurate delivery of a suitably sized FC to the desired location and fixes FCs to the tear site when used in combination with conventional suture methods. In this report, we will succinctly describe how to make and deliver an FC using the aforementioned device with a step-by-step instructional technique and an illustrative video.