Arthroscopic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with six-strand hamstring tendon allograft versus bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with six-strand hamstring tendon (HT) allograft versus bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) allograft. The prospective randomized controlled trial was included 129 patients. Sixty-nine patients received reconstruction with six-strand HT allografts (HT group), whereas 60 patients with BPTB allografts (BPTB group). Outcome assessment included re-rupture findings, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Lysholm scores, KT-1000 arthrometer, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, range of motion (ROM) and single-leg hop test. At a mean follow-up of 52months, 113 patients (HT group, 61 patients; BPTB group, 52 patients) completed a minimum 4-year follow-up. Four patients in HT group and six in BPTB group experienced ACL re-rupture (6.2 vs. 10.3%) and received revision surgery. Significant between-group differences were observed in KT-1000 outcomes and pivot-shift test 1 (1.2±1.5 vs. 1.8±1.3, p=0.025; positive rate 6.5 vs. 18.9%, p=0.036), 2 (1.1±1.4 vs. 1.6±1.2, p=0.044; 8.1 vs. 20.7%, p=0.039), 4 (1.1±1.5 vs. 1.7±1.4, p=0.031; 9.7 vs. 25%, p=0.012) years postoperatively. The outcomes between the two groups were comparable in terms of IKDC scores, Lysholm scores, Lachman test, ROM and single-leg hop test. Six-strand HT allograft achieved superior anteroposterior and rotational stability after single-bundle ACL reconstruction. It is a reasonable graft substitute for ACL reconstruction. II.