J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Feb;56(1):14-25. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.1.14.

Graft Considerations for Successful Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

• Kyung HS

• KMID: 2512854
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.1.14

Abstract

Several factors need to be considered for a successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, such as preoperative planning, operation technique, and postoperative rehabilitation. Graft choice, fixation, preparation method, maturation, incorporation to host bone, and graft tension should also be considered to achieve a good outcome after an ACL reconstruction. Factors to consider when selecting a graft are the graft strength, graft fixation, fixation site healing, and donor site morbidity, as well as the effects of initial strength, size, surface area, and origin of the graft on its potential for weakening during healing. There are two types of graft for an ACL reconstruction, autograft or allograft. Several autografts have been introduced, including the bone-patellar tendon-bone, hamstring tendon, and quadriceps tendon-bone. On the other hand, each has its advantages and disadvantages. The recent increased use of allografts for an ACL reconstruction is the lack of donor site morbidity, decreased surgical time, diminished postoperative pain, and good availability of source. Despite this, there are no reports suggesting that an allograft may have a better long-term outcome than an autograft. Allografts have inherent disadvantages, including a longer and less complete course of incorporation, remodeling, biomechanically inferiority to autograft, the potential risk of an immunogenic reaction and disease transmission. Higher long-term failure rates and poorer graft maturation scores were reported for allografts compared to autografts. An autograft in an ACL reconstruction should remain the gold standard, although the allograft is a reasonable alternative. If adequate length and diameter of autograft can be obtained for an ACL reconstruction, an autograft with adequate graft fixation and postoperative rehabilitation should be chosen instead of an allograft to achieve better results.

Keyword

anterior cruciate ligament; autografts; allografts; reconstruction