Clinical comparison of cross-pin and EndoButton for fixation of hamstring grafts

Abstract

Objectives: A comparison of the clinical outcomes of EndoButton and cross-pin femoral fixation techniques in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendons. Materials and methods: In our clinic, between January 2006 and December 2009 patients who underwent surgery due to ACL rupture were retrospectively reviewed. Of the patients, 50 underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with an autogenous hamstring tendon graft using the cross-pin technique, and the remaining 50 patients underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the EndoButton technique. Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluation of the patients in both groups was performed according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm II knee scoring systems. Results: In the cross-pin group, 52% of the patients had IKDC scores of A, 40% B and 8% C in the last control. In the EndoButton group, 48% of the patients had IKDC scores of A, 42% B and 10% C. Postoperatively, 48% of the patients in the cross-pin group had excellent, 44% good and 8% fair Lysholm scores. Fifty percent of the patients in the EndoButton group had excellent, 44% good and 6% fair Lysholm scores. There was no difference between the groups in additional diseases, IKDC and Lysholm scores and complications. The mean operative time was shorter in the EndoButton group. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference was found between the clinical outcomes of the femoral fixation techniques. The shorter operative time and easier learning curve are advantages of the EndoButton technique in ACL reconstruction.