Posteromedial Portal Technique With Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Graft for Inside-Out Revision of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) is a graft material used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We describe creating a femoral tunnel using an inside-out posteromedial (PM) portal technique during anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft. We hypothesized that applying this femoral tunnel creation method to the revision ACL reconstruction using BTB would enable reconstruction in 1 stage. In this technique, an anteromedial, an anterolateral, and a PM portal are created to confirm the original ACL footprint and location and direction of the bone tunnel during primary reconstruction. The surgeon then drills from the PM portal, so that the femoral tunnel opening touches the posterior proximal articular cartilage margin in the ACL footprint. Even if the opening partially overlaps with the primary tunnel, it is possible to create a new tunnel with a different direction. Finally, the BTB graft is guided from the tibial tunnel to the femoral tunnel and fixed with interference screws. Intraoperative PM arthroscopic views can confirm that the femoral tunnel has been created, avoiding overlap, and that the revision ACL has been reconstructed. This procedure may be useful for 1-stage revision ACL reconstruction for reinjury after primary ACL reconstruction by other conventional procedures.