carrier plus in vitro expanded autologous BMSCs

Carrier alone

The non-unions of fractures were stabilized with internal or external fixation devices. The non-union site was clearly exposed and decorticated to introduce sub-periosteal bone graft. Depending on the surgical approach, the site was partitioned in either medial/lateral or anterior/posterior sides. The contents of each universal container were mixed individually with a carrier by the surgeon, who was blinded to the contents of the container

The primary outcome measure was formation of new callus and cortical bridging, assessed from pre-operative and multiple post-operative radiographs and CT-scans up to 12 months. These images were divided into early (0-3 months) and late (9-12 months) groups. Non-unions were assessed from anonymized slides by four independent reviewers (two radiologists and two orthopedic surgeons) blinded to the side of cell insertion. Each slide had a pre-operative radiograph for comparison but no indication of time since surgery, and showed a medial/ lateral or an anterior/ posterior view depending on the surgical approach . At first, each reviewer indicated the side with largest callus and most cortical bridging pre-operatively. Then each reviewer examined subsequent radiographs to indicate the side with the largest increase in new callus and cortical bridging.

Change in EQ-5D index at 1 year was used as secondary outcome measures.