J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2003 Apr;38(2):159-164.

Second-Look Arthroscopy after ACL Reconstruction: Comparison of Patellar Tendon Autografts with Hamstring Tendon Autografts

• Ahn JH
• Cho YB
• Lee JY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the healing status of reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal repair through second-look arthroscopy after arthroscopic reconstruction of the ACL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 81 cases by second-look arthroscopy among 397 cases that received ACL reconstruction during the period from June 1996 to December 2000. Second-look arthroscopy was conducted on average 18.8 months after reconstruction. 53 cases received a patellar tendon autograft, 28 cases received a hamstring tendon autograft and 29 cases received meniscal repair. We measured graft tension using displacement by probing, and synovial coverage by visual analysis at second-look arthroscopy. The improvements in Lysholm knee scores and KT-2000 arthrometer results were evaluated to compare patellar and hamstring tendons. RESULTS: The patellar tendon group showed normal tension in 41 cases and lax tension in 12 cases. The hamstring tendon group showed normal tension in 22 cases and lax tension in 6 cases. In the patellar tendon group, synovial coverage was good in 38 cases, half in 4 cases, and pale in 11 cases, whereas the hamstring tendon group was good in 25 cases, half in 2 cases, and pale in 1 case. Synovial coverage was better in the hamstring tendon group (p<0.05). Although there was no statistical significance, the hamstring tendon group was superior to the patellar tendon group in terms of graft tension, Lysholm knee scores and KT-2000 arthrometer results. CONCLUSION: The hamstring tendon group with ACL reconstruction was superior to the patellar tendon group, but long term follow-up will be necessary to further evaluate results.

Keyword

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Patellar tendon autograft; Hamstring tendon autograft; Second-look arthroscopy

MeSH Terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Arthroscopy*
Autografts*
Follow-Up Studies
Knee
Patellar Ligament*
Tendons*
Transplants