Adjustable Button Research Articles

Hybrid Press-fit and Adjustable Button Femoral Fixation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Semitendinosus and Bone-patellar Tendon-bone Autografts—A Technical Note

Introduction: Many fixation methods are available for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts. Adjustable buttons (ABs) are characterized by their high fixation strength but have the disadvantage of potential stretching of their linking suture material. Press-fit bone plugs provide fixation at the joint line and enhance biological graft healing. Using both is thought to result in a higher fixation strength, enhancing graft biology and transferring the fixation point to the joint line. Materials and Methods: It is the aim of this technical note to describe a certain technique of ACL graft hybrid fixation for hamstrings or bone-tendon-bone grafts, using AB combined with bone grafting of the femoral and tibial tunnels with press-fit bone plugs or bone chips. Discussion: ABs are commonly used fixation devices for ACL grafts. AB also allows the surgeon to tighten the ACL graft in full or near full extension. The ultimate load to failure of AB has the potential disadvantage of rendering the ACL graft progressively slack. AB augmented with press-fitting bone plugs enhances biological potentials, adds to fixation strength, and transfers the fixation level of the graft from the outer femoral cortex to the joint line. Conclusion: Hybrid AB and bone plug fixation of ACL autografts, whether hamstrings or bone-tendon bone, optimizes ACL graft fixation by gaining advantages and omitting the disadvantages of both techniques.

Re-tensioning Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Adjustable Femoral Button

Background: Despite advancements in surgical techniques for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) treatment, persistent functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and limited physical activity participation continue to be common after postoperative rehabilitation. We modify the traditional ACL reconstruction method by using hamstring tendons grafts and re-tensioning them. Indications: This procedure is indicated for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery with soft tissue grafts, utilizing femoral fixation with an adjustable button and tibial fixation with an interference screw. Technique Description: We employ hamstring grafts for ACL reconstruction and perform femoral fixation using an adjustable button. Initially, we pull the graft approximately 10 mm less than the length of the thickest tunnel drill. This allows for subsequent graft traction after tibial fixation. Following tibial fixation, we pull the graft proximally, inserting it a few millimeters further into the femoral tunnel. This re-tensioning increases tension and enhances physical examination results. In addition, we incorporate the braid graft technique to augment the graft's final thickness. Results: This technique yields reduced postoperative residual laxity during physical examinations. Our institution's ethics committee is currently reviewing a clinical study comparing functional outcomes with traditional techniques. Discussion/Conclusion: The ACL re-tensioning technique is easily implemented and involves a subtle modification to the traditional approach, allowing for graft re-tensioning and diminishing the risk of residual laxity post-interference screw fixation. This approach acknowledges that insertion of the interference screw can inadvertently reduce graft tension, counteracting the tension applied during fixation. Consequently, this technique is expected to yield superior clinical outcomes.

Osteotomy of the Femoral Lateral Collateral Ligament Insertion for a Tight Lateral Compartment in Complex Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Background: In cases of complex arthroscopic knee surgery in the lateral compartment, such as performing lateral meniscus repair or transplantation, a tight lateral compartment can jeopardize the best possible care and could lead to iatrogenic cartilage injury. This technique shows a way to increase arthroscopic working space in a tight lateral compartment by performing an osteotomy of the femoral insertion of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), utilizing a novel adjustable loop refixation technique. Indication: The femoral LCL insertion osteotomy can be performed if increased visualization and working space of the lateral compartment are needed during the complex arthroscopic knee surgery. Technique Description: After identification of the LCL femoral insertion, a 2-mm drill is passed through the LCL insertion to prepare for an anatomic reduction. The osteotomy is performed by taking a small bone plug together with the complete LCL insertion. Increased visualization and working space in the lateral compartment are obtained without damaging the intrinsic LCL structure. For reinsertion, the bone plug and proximal LCL is whipstitched with a high-strength suture and fixated to an adjustable loop Ultrabutton. The adjustable loop is shuttled through a predrilled 4.5-mm femoral tunnel and flipped on the medial side. The adjustable button is tensioned in 30° of flexion until the bone plug is anatomically reduced. Results: We present 1 patient who underwent a femoral LCL osteotomy during arthroscopic lateral meniscus allograft transplantation. The osteotomy healed without any issues, and there was no residual LCL laxity; which was confirmed with varus stress radiographs. Discussion/Conclusion: A femoral LCL insertion osteotomy can release a tight lateral compartment without damaging the intrinsic LCL structure. The adjustable loop fixation avoids the use of more traditional screw and washer fixation techniques, which tend to be more prominent and have the potential to back out. An osteotomy is more invasive than the “pie-crusting” technique of the medial collateral ligament for a tight medial compartment. However, it is required due to the poor intrinsic healing capacity of the LCL. Care should be taken to anatomically reduce the bone plug to avoid iatrogenic creation of LCL laxity. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique

Background: Revision posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) is challenging, especially in existing semi-anatomic tunnels, whereas there is an increased risk of overlapping with a new positioned anatomic tunnel. Few cases were published with no consensus regarding the optimal operative technique. Indications: A 22-year-old male patient, with failed PCLR with hamstring autograft in 2020 due to improper tunnels placement, presented for pain and instability of his right knee. Physical examination revealed a positive posterior drawer and reverse Pivot-Shift test, with no varus-valgus or rotational laxity. Radiograph showed no signs of arthritis, normal tibial slope, and normal long-leg standing axis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed rupture of the PCL graft with no meniscal, chondral, or concomitant ligament injuries. Technique Description: We described a single-bundle transtibial technique with a posterior transeptal portal approach to reconstruct the PCL. We started by preparing the allograft with an internal brace augmentation and an adjustable button (Arthrex) placed on the femoral side for cortical fixation. The old semi-anatomical femoral tunnel was drilled and grafted using an allograft bone dowel (Biobank), and a new anatomic femoral tunnel was drilled inside-out. Under direct visualization via posterior transeptal portals, a new anatomic tibial tunnel was drilled posterior to the existing nonanatomic tunnel. Using a shuttle suture, the transplant was passed and fixed by an adjustable button at the femur and by two interference screws and a backup fixation using a Swive-lock anchor at the tibia (Arthrex). Results: Favorable functional and clinical outcomes with improvement of anteroposterior stability. Significant improved side-to-side differences on posterior stress radiography and improved subjective and objective clinical scores. Satisfactory outcomes with 75% of patients returned to preinjury Tegner activity scale level of function. Discussion/Conclusion: The use of the posterior transeptal portals approach protects the vital neurovascular structures and ensures proper PCL tibial tunnel placement by providing direct visualization of the tibial attachment. Allograft bone dowels facilitate PCL revision in a one-stage procedure by filling the existing semi-anatomic tunnels and allowing to drill the new anatomic tunnels without tunnel overlap. The use of the internal brace augmentation strengthens the construct to protect the graft during the revascularization and remodeling process by facilitating tissue ingrowth and incorporation. In revision surgery, backup fixation is encouraged and often essential due to the compromised bone stock. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Adjustable Button and All-Suture Anchors As Suspensory Devices for Arthroscopic Glenoid Rim Fracture Fixation. Surgical Technique and Preliminary Results

Adjustable Button and All-Suture Anchors As Suspensory Devices for Arthroscopic Glenoid Rim Fracture Fixation. Surgical Technique and Preliminary Results

Functional outcomes of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with a novel double suspensory fixation

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has allowed the return of overhead athletes to throwing sports. We describe a new double suspensory (DS) technique using a single tunnel in the ulna and humerus, achieving fixation with adjustable loop buttons. Inclusion criteria included skeletally mature baseball players with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of UCL insufficiency who failed a trial of structured nonoperative treatment. A total of 36 baseball players underwent DS UCLR, between 2011 and 2017, by 1 surgeon with minimum 2-year follow-up. The graft was fixated with an adjustable button loop on the humeral side and a tension slide technique with a button on the ulnar side. Pre- and postoperative Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinicand Single Assessment Numerical Evaluationand postoperative Conway scores were obtained. The mean age was 19.8 ± 4.6 years (range, 14-35 years). All were male. Mean years played before surgery was 14.3 ± 4.6 years (range, 8-28 years). There were 32 (89%) pitchers and 4 (11%) position players. There were 13 (36%) high school, 20 (55%) college, 2 (6%) minor league, and 1 (3%) adult league athletes. The mean follow-up was 55.3 ± 23.7 months (range, 26-97 months). There was significant improvement in Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (33.2 ± 19.9 to 89.7 ± 15.1, P < .0001) and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (20.7 ± 16.7 to 93.6 ± 11.9, P < .0001) scores. Using Conway scoring, 25 (69%) had excellent, 5 (14%) good, 3 (8%) fair, and 3 (8%) poor scores. Mean return to play was 9 ± 1.5 months (range, 6-16 months). Only 1 (3%) athlete required a revision surgery and ultimately returned to play and 1 (3%) hardware removal. None developed ulnar nerve symptoms. DS fixation for UCLR in baseball players can lead to excellent clinical results and early return to play.

PCL Reconstruction Using Adjustable Buttons with Outside-In Tunnel for Tibial Fixation: A case report

Introduction:Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction needs a large and long graft. An allograft is a preferable option for thicker graft but its availability is limited in Indonesia. Alternatively, autograft needs to be folded several times for sufficient thickness but it will be shorter and only applicable for the inside-out method. We present a case of PCL reconstruction using a double adjustable button fixation with the outside-in tibia tunneling method.Case Presentation:A fifty-five-year-old male came to our office with an unstable right knee after he fell 1 month ago. Physical examination showed positive posterior drawer and mild right knee effusion, other findings were normal. MRI revealed a total PCL rupture. Two weeks later, the PCL reconstruction was done using autograft from gracillis and semitendinous. A large adjustable button was placed on the tibia tunnel, using the outside-in technique. Knee was stable postoperatively.Discussion:PCL reconstruction using double adjustable buttons was chosen to accommodate larger but shorter autografts. The outside-in tibial tunnel has less risk of graft laxity less expensive and more simple technically compared to inside-out adjustable button tunnel.Conclusion:Tibial fixation using an adjustable large button should be considered in PCL reconstruction with short autograft.

Adjustable buttons for ACL graft cortical fixation partially fail with cyclic loading and unloading.

Despite good initial pullout strength, it is unclear whether adjustable button (AB) devices for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) soft-tissue graft fixation, which are based on the Chinese finger trap technique, resist cyclic loading. Furthermore, they have never been tested in a cyclic protocol including complete unloading. It was hypothesized, that the displacement of AB devices with the Chinese finger trap technique would be greater than that of continuous suture loop devices and other available AB mechanisms in a cyclic loading with complete unloading protocol. ACL reconstruction was performed in a porcine knee model using three different types of cortical fixation devices: two different AB devices that use the Chinese finger trap design, one AB device that uses a locked suture loop mechanism and two different continuous loop devices as control groups (n = 40). Specimens were mounted in a material-testing machine (Instron Inc.) that permitted 2500 loading and complete unloading cycles to a maximum of 250N, as well as continuous elongation recording. A one-way ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis. The displacement of ABs with a Chinese finger trap loop (mean 8.1; SD 1.5mm and mean 6.1; SD 1.4mm) was significantly greater than that of AB with a locked suture loop (mean 4.7; SD 1.0mm; p < 0.05) and devices with a continuous loop (mean 4.1; SD 0.5mm and mean 4.4, SD 0.3mm; p < 0.01). No significant differences were detected between the ABs with a locked suture loop and the continuous loops. Cyclic loading and unloading of AB using the Chinese finger trap technique leads to significantly greater construct lengthening compared with other devices. Complete unloading of the ACL is very likely to occur during rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction. Lengthening of the AB device due to cyclic loading might be a potential mode of failure of the ACL graft fixation. Therefore, when using an AB femoral fixation technique, a locked suture loop design or a careful rehabilitation protocol should be considered.

Adjustable Button Devices for All-Arthroscopic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Hamstrings Tendons and the “Forgotten” Transseptal Approach

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) ruptures account for nearly 20% of all ligamentous knee injuries. These may be either isolated or in the setting of a more complex knee trauma. Isolated tears with moderate posterior laxity (grades I or II) are commonly treated conservatively; nevertheless, symptomatic grade III injuries frequently require surgical intervention. PCL reconstruction remains a challenging surgery for multiple reasons like the neurovascular structures' proximity, the difficult passage of the graft with the “killer turn” angle, or the risk of poor graft fixation. We describe an all-inside operative technique using hamstrings tendon autografts with tibial and femoral adjustable buttons cortical fixation and the visualization of the posterior transseptal portal.

Speed-Bridge arthroscopic reinsertion of tibial eminence fracture (complementary to the adjustable button fixation technique)

In comminuted fractures of the intercondyloid eminence of the tibial spine, the quality of the reduction and the arthroscopic fixation, notably adjustable suture button fixation, is sometimes disappointing with reduction defects of the anterior bone block. In the Speed-Bridge technique, the two traction sutures of the adjustable button fixation are replaced with two braided sutures of different colors. After the button is placed above the eminence, reduction is obtained by tightening the loop of the button. The accessory communitive fragments are then packed in the depression around the main fragment. A second row provides bone suturing for these accessory fragments; traction sutures of the button are attached anteromedially and laterally with knotless anchors to obtain a Speed-Bridge-type inverted-V bone suture. The Speed-Bridge arthroscopic reinsertion technique of the tibial eminence effectively completes the adjustable button bone suture technique for communitive fractures to obtain better reduction and good stability.

New Technique for Retraction of the Strap Muscles in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

It is extremely important to establish sufficient exposure and room for manipulation during endoscopic thyroidectomy. To solve this problem, the authors have developed a new technique for retraction of the strap muscles perfected during 500 cases of breast-approach endoscopic thyroidectomy. The new technique encompasses the use of 3 styles of retractor: the suture retractor, the button retractor, and the adjustable button retractor. These retractors are all easy to make and are all useful in different situations. The new technique is a safe and cost-effective method. It reduces the operation time required to obtain good exposure without transecting the strap muscles. In addition, it is minimally invasive and confers cosmetic benefits.

783-4 Follow-up Results of Transvenous Occlusion of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with the Adjustable Buttoned Device

During a 4-year period ending July 1994, 81 patients underwenttranscatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the adjustable buttoned device at 22 institutions around the world under an IRB-approved custom-made device protocol. The device is a modified version of the Sideris’ buttoned device for atrial septal defect closure. The patients were 11 mo to 65 years (median. 7.0 years) with weight range of 7.2 to 90 kg (median. 19 kg) The PDAs measured 1 to 15 mm (median, 4 mm) at the narrowest diameter; fifteen were larger than 8 mm and three larger than 10 mm with a Qp:Qs range of 1.3 to 3.2. They were occluded with devices measuring 15 to 35 mm; all but 10 were delivered via #7-French sheaths. Ten devices ≥ 25 mm were delivered to the implantation site via #8-French sheaths. 78 of 81 (96%) were implanted at first attempt. In all three with device dislodgment, the device was retrieved via the sheath and two of these underwent PDA occlusion with larger devices and third patient had elective surgical closure of PDA. Small residual shunts detected by color Doppler were present in 31 (39%) patients. Forty-one patients were followed for 1 to 24 months (8 ± 7 mo) with clinical, chest x-ray and echo-Doppler evaluation. None required repeat intervention. The device was found intact on chest x-ray and echo. No evidence for thromboembolism, endocarditis or hemolysis was found nor was there evidence for descending aortic or left pulmonary artery obstruction. Percent incidence of residual shunt by color Doppler gradually decreased and was 39,21.15.13 and 0% respectively at 1 day. 1.6,12 and 24 months following device implantation. Based on these data it is concluded that 1) transvenous occlusion of PDA is feasible, effective and safe, 2) small-sized sheaths (7-French in most, 8French in some) are adequate for all ductus sizes, 3) all types of PDAs (conical, tubular and short) and both long and short PDAs can be occluded because of the adjustable button loop design of the device. 4) further improvementlminiaturization may eventually result in extending the procedure to neonates and premature infants.