Osteochondral defect creation in animal model with brad point drill bits - A preliminary study

Introduction: The shift from manual to machine-based operations has also affected the creation of cartilage defect models. Manual drilling lacks precision and consistency compared to power drills, which offer controlled speed and depth. Moreover, manual burrs may produce defects with irregular edges and uneven surfaces. We introduce a superior method utilizing a power drill with a brad point bit to overcome these limitations, ensuring precision, consistency, and ergonomics. Methods: Our innovative approach uses a brad point drill bit to generate cartilage repair animal models. Tissue sections on day 90 were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Safranin-O, and Masson's trichrome to assess proteoglycan and collagen contents. In contrast, differentiation of hyaline cartilage was evaluated using RGB trichrome staining. Results: This technique can be considered refined compared to conventional methods. The spur-cutting edges bring down splintering, resulting in a smooth, clean defect. The wide flute in the drill bit helps in the smooth and continuous outflow of debris without plugging into the defect. The histological and radiographic findings demonstrated the suitability of these models for proficiently creating and assessing cartilage regeneration over 90 days. Conclusion: Although preliminary findings are promising, further studies will be helpful to standardize and establish this technique. This proof of concept paper provides a foundation for future studies that aim to compare the animal model with other existing models, emphasizing the need for further investigation.