An increasing trend of the number of meniscus allograft transplantation in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) can be performed to treat symptomatic patients with meniscus-deficient knees. However, the current epidemiologic status of MAT is unknown in many countries, including Korea. This study aimed to investigate the national trends of MAT in Korea which covers MAT procedures by the Korean national health insurance system. Methods: Information from the national database was acquired through the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from 2010 to 2017. All patients encoded as MAT were included. The total number of MATs and their incidence per 100,000 persons were determined, and the results were stratified by age and sex. Results: The total number of MATs and their incidence per 100,000 persons per year were 369 and 0.77, respectively, in 2010, which increased to 826 and 1.72, respectively, in 2017. The number of MATs increased by 124% over 8 years. The peaks for the total number of MATs and their incidence were seen in patients in their 20 s in 2010, but in 2017, the peaks were observed in patients who were in their 40 s. MAT was performed more frequently in males (61%) than in females (39%) over the study period. Conclusion: The total number of MATs and their incidence had increased by 124% between 2010 and 2017. The peak treatment age range for MAT changed from 20 years of age in 2010 to 40 years of age in 2017, and MAT was performed more frequently in males than in females. Level of evidence: IV