ACL RECONSTRUCTION USING SEMITENDINOSUS TENDON GRAFT RETAINING THE TIBIAL INSERTION. PRELIMINARY RESULTS IN RABBITS

摘要

Aim : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histologic changes that occur between 3 and 12 weeks in an intraarticular, semitendinosus autograft, that was harvested without detachment of its tibial insertion and was placed through tibial and femoral drill holes, in a rabbit model. Material and methods: 21 New Zealand rabbits underwent ACL replacement using a semitendinosus tendon autograft. The graft was harvested without detachment of its tibial insertion and was passed through tibial and femoral tunnels. 6 more animals underwent ACL reconstruction using a free semitendinosus tendon autograft. The animals were divided into three groups and were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. The intraarticular portion of the graft and the interface between the bone and the graft was evaluated for gross morphology and histological appearance. Results: Results showed that the autograft retained its viability when harvested without detachment of its peripheral insertion. On contrary, at the control group of the animals that a free semitendinosus autograft was used, necrosis of the graft was observed three weeks after surgery and progressively revascularuzation and maturation occurred 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusions: Retaining the tibial insertion of the semitendinosus autograft seems to preserves its viability and bypass the stages of avascular necrosis and revascularization that occurs with the use of a free tendon autograft.