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Influence of autograft removal on rabbit patellar tendon length

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Abstract

Twelve adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. In group 1, 30% of the central mass of the right patellar tendon was removed. In group 2, 60% was removed. The left knees served as controls. The animals were killed 1 year later. The patella–patellar tendon–tibial tuberosity units of all knees were studied using histological and morphometric analysis. In both groups, the tendons had lengthened. Lengthening average was 2.50 mm in group 1 and 8.17 mm in group 2. In both groups, histology revealed poor alignment of the collagen fibres and high cellularity, although the findings in group 1 were nearer the normal histological pattern. The results suggest that removal of significant portions of the patellar tendon leads to lengthening of the resulting tendon. In clinical practice, it seems prudent to pay attention to the dimensions of the patellar tendon when harvesting a graft.

Résumé

Douze lapins adultes blancs (Nouvelle Zélande) étaient divisés au hasard en deux groupes. Dans le groupe 1 30% de la masse centrale du tendon rotulien droit ont été enlevés. Dans le groupe 2 60% ont été enlevés. Les genoux gauches ont servi comme contrôle. Les animaux ont été sacrifiés une année plus tard. Les unités "rotule—tendon rotulien—tubérosité tibiale" de tous les genoux ont été étudiés avec histologie et analyse morphométrique. Dans les deux groupes les tendons s'étaient allongés. La moyenne de l'allongement était 2.50 mm dans le groupe 1 et 8.17 mm dans le groupe 2. Dans les deux groupes l'histologie a révélé un mauvais alignement des fibres collagènes et une cellularité haute, bien que les résultats dans le groupe 1 étaient plus proches du modèle histologique normal. Les résultats suggèrent que la suppression d'une partie importante du tendon rotulien conduit à son allongement. En pratique clinique il paraît prudent de faire attention aux dimensions du tendon rotulien quand on prélève une greffe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Passeig Marìtim 25–29, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    J. C. Monllau, P. Hinarejos, P. Alvarez & J. Ballester

  2. Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    F. Alameda

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  1. J. C. Monllau
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  2. P. Hinarejos
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  3. P. Alvarez
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  4. F. Alameda
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  5. J. Ballester
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Correspondence to J. C. Monllau.

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Monllau, J.C., Hinarejos, P., Alvarez, P. et al. Influence of autograft removal on rabbit patellar tendon length. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 28, 7–10 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-003-0448-7

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