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ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus tendon autograft without detachment of its tibial insertion: a histologic study in a rabbit model

  • Knee
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histologic changes that occur between 3 and 12 weeks in an intra-articular, semitendinosus autograft, which was harvested without detachment of its tibial insertion and was placed through tibial and femoral drill holes, in a rabbit model. About 30 New Zealand white rabbits underwent ACL replacement using a semitendinosus tendon autograft. The normal ACL was transected at its femoral and tibial insertions. The tendon graft was harvested without detachment of its tibial insertion and its free end was secured with sutures. The graft was then passed through one tibial and one femoral tunnel and secured at the lateral femoral condyle. All animals were divided into three groups and were killed at 3, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Nine more animals underwent ACL reconstruction using a free semitendinosus tendon autograft. These animals were used as controls. The intra-articular portion of the graft and the interface between the bone tunnel and the graft was evaluated postoperatively for gross morphology and histological appearance. Results of this study showed that in a rabbit model the semitendinosus tendon autograft retained its viability when harvested without detachment of its peripheral insertion. On contrary, at the control group, necrosis of the graft was observed 3 weeks after surgery and progressively revascularization and maturation occurred 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Retaining the tibial insertion of the semitendinosus autograft seems to preserves its viability and bypasses the stages of avascular necrosis and revascularization that occurs with the use of a free tendon autograft.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Orthopaedics, University of Athens, Constantopoulion Hospital, N. Ionia, Greece

    George Papachristou, Vassilios Nikolaou, Nikolaos Efstathopoulos, John Sourlas & John Lazarettos

  2. Department of Pathology, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Konstantina Frangia

  3. Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, “ELPEN” Pharmaceuticals, Athens, Greece

    Apostolos Papalois

  4. 4 Moschopoleos Street, 156 69, Papagou, Athens, Greece

    George Papachristou

Authors
  1. George Papachristou
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  2. Vassilios Nikolaou
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  3. Nikolaos Efstathopoulos
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  4. John Sourlas
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  5. John Lazarettos
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  6. Konstantina Frangia
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  7. Apostolos Papalois
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Correspondence to George Papachristou.

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Papachristou, G., Nikolaou, V., Efstathopoulos, N. et al. ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus tendon autograft without detachment of its tibial insertion: a histologic study in a rabbit model. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 15, 1175–1180 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0374-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0374-0

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