Donor–Recipient Sex Mismatch Affects Meniscal Allograft Transplant Survival

This study analyzed 360 meniscal allograft transplantations (MAT) to determine how donor and recipient characteristics—such as sex, age, BMI, blood group, and graft freezing time—affect graft survival. Over an average follow-up of nearly nine years, researchers found that most demographic or biological mismatches did not influence outcomes. However, a significant finding emerged: female patients receiving grafts from male donors had a markedly higher failure rate (39%) compared to all other sex combinations (7–9%). No associations were observed for age, BMI, blood group, or graft preservation time.

In summary: sex mismatch—specifically male-to-female transplants—was the only factor negatively impacting meniscal allograft longevity, underscoring the importance of considering donor–recipient sex compatibility in MAT procedures.