Abstract
Background: Previous studies have investigated the effect of tension and circumferential compression on the diameter of fresh-frozen anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) allografts, but no study has described the effect on soft tissue ACL autografts harvested for implantation in the operating room for ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to elucidate how hamstring autograft diameter changes during preparation for ACL reconstruction with compression in addition to tensioning. We hypothesized that autograft diameter would decrease as the graft was prepared with both tension and circumferential compression. Operative complications related to graft compression were also investigated. Methods: 100 ACL reconstruction surgeries (Age M = 15.3 ± 2.2 years; 53% male) were identified among two orthopedic surgeons. Hamstring tendon grafts were prepared in a standardized procedure to produce a looped graft for all-inside ACL reconstruction. Autografts were tensioned to 15-20 lbs and then their tibial and femoral diameters were measured using cylindrical sizing blocks. The graft diameters were measured again after placement under a saline soaked gauze for 10 minutes with the sizing blocks in place. A Wilcoxon signed rank test with correction for continuity was performed to detect significant change in autograft diameters after compression. Results: Treatment of hamstring autografts with longitudinal tension and circumferential compression significantly decreased the median tibial and femoral graft diameters by 0.75 mm. The median tibial diameter decreased from 9.50 mm to 8.75 mm (p < 0.0001) and the median femoral diameter decreased from 9.50 mm to 8.50 mm (p < 0.0001). 72% of all autografts had the same tibial and femoral diameters at implant. No intraoperative complications were noted with implantation of compressed grafts in smaller diameter tunnels. Conclusions: Median diameters of ACL hamstring autografts harvested in the OR decreased by 0.75 mm after treatment with circumferential compression using cylindrical sizing blocks. This decreased the socket size by one to two 0.5 mm sizes with no adverse events noted intra-operatively due to the compression of the grafts or the smaller sockets. Clinical Relevance: Graft integration in a bone tunnel is dependent on optimal fit of the graft inside the tunnel. If the tunnel is too small, the graft will not fit and if it is too large, it may allow joint fluid into the tunnel leading to tunnel widening and incomplete integration. Pre-tensioning a graft has been noted for many years to be an important way to properly establish the length-tension relationship of a graft. Here, we show that circumferential compression of the graft prior to implantation significantly changes the size of the graft, and thus the size of the tunnels required for implantation. In addition to providing better graft tunnel match, using smaller tunnels requires less bone removal which is particularly advantageous for pediatric, revision, and double bundle ACL reconstruction techniques where space for tunnel drilling is limited.
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