Radiographic assessment of bone tunnels after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A comparison of hamstring tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografting technique
Mustafa Yasin Hatipoğlu1, Resul Bircan2, Hamza Özer2, Hakan Yusuf Selek2, Gülcan HarputD3, Yaşar Gül Baltacı4
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
3Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
4Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara Güven Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, anteromedial portal, bone-patellar tendon-bone, hamstring tendon, tunnel width
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to compare the postoperative change of femoral and tibial tunnel widths after hamstring tendon (HT) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografting in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery with the anteromedial portal technique.
Patients and methods: This case-control and retrospective study included 39 patients (36 males, 3 females; mean age 30.1±7.9; range, 17 to 44 years) who underwent primary ACL reconstruction surgery with either BPTB autografting method (BPTB group, n=18) or HT autografting method (HT group, n=21) between March 2014 and December 2016. Femoral fixation was achieved with bioabsorbable screw in BPTB group and endobutton in HT group. Tibial fixation was achieved with bioabsorbable interference screw in both groups. Femoral and tibial tunnel widths of groups were compared on digital radiographs.
Results: When we compared the baseline values with the second-year results, the mean of femoral tunnel widths were significantly lower on radiographs at the second-year evaluation in both groups (p<0.001 for all). However, the means of tibial tunnel widths were significantly lower only in the BPTB group (p<0.001 for BPTB group and p=0.616 for HT group). Change levels of anteroposterior and lateral widths were more prominent in BPTB group than HT group (p<0.001 for all).
Conclusion: Changes in tunnel widths show us superior ossification in BPTB grafting. This can be explained by superior bone-to-bone healing. As a result of radiological evaluation, we think that BPTB grafting can be more strong and durable.
Citation: Hatipoğlu MY, Bircan R, Özer H, Selek HY, Harput G, Baltacı YG. Radiographic assessment of bone tunnels after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A comparison of hamstring tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografting technique. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2021;32(1):122-128.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.