Comparison of Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions Using Patellar Tendon or Hamstring Tendon Autografts with Femoral Cross-pin Fixation

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BPTG) or hamstring tendon graft (HTG) with cross-pin fixation at the femoral side. Materials and Methods: The retrospective observational study included records of 100 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with femoral cross-pin fixation between May 2008 and August 2012. The patients were divided into two groups according to the graft type used: the BPTG group and the HTG group. The preoperative and postoperative 6 th -month Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKS) scores, International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC-SKF) scores, and Lachman test results were compared. The effects of meniscus lesion presence on the outcomes were also investigated. Results: Of the 100 patients, 93 were male and 7 female. The HTG and BPTG groups consisted of 62 and 38 patients, respectively. The mean age was 24.1±4.9 (18-38) years for the HTG group and 32.1±6.8 (21-54) years for the BPTG group. The mean pre-and postoperative TLKS scores were respectively 50.5 and 94.3 in the BPTG group, and 49.9 and 95.2 in the HTG group. The mean pre-and postoperative IKDC-SKF scores were 51.3 and 95.6 in the BPTG group, and 51.8 and 95.6 in the HTG group. The postoperative score improvement was statistically significant in all patients (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The postoperative improvement in knee stability was statistically significant in all patients (p<0.05). The postoperative score improvement was less in patients with meniscal injury (p<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion:We found no significant difference between the two groups in terms of functional knee scores. However, the presence of meniscus lesions negatively affects the postoperative outcomes.