Hyaluronan solution as a cartilage antidesiccant

During arthrotomy, desiccation of the articular cartilage of synovial joints by the ambient environment of the operating room causes chondrocyte death and may promote degenerative changes within the joint. This study documents the efficacy of a biomaterial, hyaluronan (HY) solution, to maintain chondrocyte viability during desiccation. Rabbit patellar articular cartilage was air-dried for 2 h with and without application of the HY solution. As assessed by 35SO4 uptake and autoradiography, the HY solution helped maintain chondrocyte viability, when compared to air dried specimens (p less than or equal to 0.02). HY solution applied to the articular surfaces of joints undergoing arthrotomy may offset the detrimental effects of desiccation, such as chondrocyte death and degenerative joint changes.