Summary

Is the femoral tunnel lenght in ACL reconstruction related to re-ruputre of the graft?

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study is to evaluate patients who had short femoral tunnels compared to patients with longer tunnels to assess whether a short tunnel is a risk factor for poor prognosis and re-rupture.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was carried out with 80 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with flexor tendons using the medial transportal or transtibial technique. Patients were divided according to the amount of graft within the tunnel: =1.5 cm versus >1.5 cm; =2 cm versus >2 cm; =2.5 cm versus >2.5 cm; and =1.5 cm vs. >2.5 cm. Patients were evaluated 2 years after surgery by physical examination (Lachman, pivot shift and anterior drawer tests), a KT1000 arthrometer, objective and subjective IKDC scores, the Lysholm test and re-ruptures.

Results

Of the 80 operated patients, 9 were lost to follow-up. Comparative assessment of the patients with the different amounts of graft within the tunnel indicated no significant differences in the outcomes evaluated, except for the Lachman test, which was higher in patients with tunnels with >2 cm of graft compared with those with tunnels with =2 cm.

Conclusion

The amount of graft within the femoral tunnel does not appear to be a risk factor for clinical instability of the knee or re-rupture of the graft.
Level of Evidence: Level III, case-control study