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Outcomes for primary anterior cruciate reconstruction with the quadriceps autograft: a systematic review

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

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the suitability of the quadriceps autograft in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken to identify all clinical studies reporting on the use of the quadriceps tendon autograft in ACL reconstructions. Studies that reported on clinical and functional outcomes, morbidity and complications were selected.

Results

Seventeen articles met our inclusion criteria with a total of 1,580 reconstructions studied. This included four comparative studies which compared the quadriceps tendon to either hamstring or patella tendon autografts. The quadriceps tendon autograft had clinical (Lachman, Pivot-shift testing) and functional outcomes (Lysholm and IKDC scores) similar to those reported for the patella tendon and hamstring grafts in the literature. Comparative studies also reported no significant difference between the grafts for any outcome measure.

Conclusions

The quadriceps tendon autograft is a promising alternative for primary ACL reconstructions with good outcomes and minimal donor site morbidity. Further studies are required, however, to determine whether the quadriceps graft is as good as or better than other autografts.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia

    Jonathan S. Mulford, Stephen E. Hutchinson & Jacqueline R. Hang

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  1. Jonathan S. Mulford
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  2. Stephen E. Hutchinson
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  3. Jacqueline R. Hang
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Correspondence to Jonathan S. Mulford.

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Mulford, J.S., Hutchinson, S.E. & Hang, J.R. Outcomes for primary anterior cruciate reconstruction with the quadriceps autograft: a systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 1882–1888 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2212-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2212-2

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