Arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments with allograft: Single-tunnel double-bundle versus single-tunnel single-bundle

Abstract

Purpose: Arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) commonly adopted single-tunnel single-bundle (STSB) or double-tunnel double-bundle (DTDB) methods. Though single-tunnel double-bundle (STDB) has been used in clinical practice, the efficacy remains unclear. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical results of ACL reconstruction using the STDB and STSB techniques.Methods: Between March 2010 to June 2013, 78 patients with ACL rupture underwent arthroscopic STDB reconstruction (42 cases) or STSB reconstruction (36 cases) using anterior tibialis tendon allografts in our department. IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were used to evaluate the subjective function of the knee joint during the postoperative follow-up. In addition, the Lachman test and pivot shift test were used to objectively assess the stability of the knee.Results: The average follow-up time is 24.2±5.7 months in the STDB group, and 24.8±6.6 months in the STSB group. Patients in both groups recovered to preoperative sports level with few complications. The postoperative Lysholm, IKDC, Tegner scores, and knee joint stability were significantly improved compared to preoperative status in both groups (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups at the final follow-up (P>0.05), except for the improvement of pivot shift test positive rate in the STDB group compared with STSB group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Both techniques can be used to restore the stability and function of the knee joint with satisfactory short-term efficacy, and STDB showed better rotational stability than STSB technique, indicating the STDB technique may also considered a reliable method for ACL reconstruction.