Technique, Complications, and Results of Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions with Bioprosthetic Ligaments

Abstract

Ligaments and tendons that have been compromised by injury or disease pose difficult surgical dilemmas, particularly when prior attempts at reconstructions have failed or when multiple substitutes are required. While the common approach is to use autologous structures for such reconstructions, the sacrifice of normally functioning units as donors may itself result in disability. Thus, there has been continued interest in finding suitable substitutes for these compromised structures. The alternatives to autologous structures have included: (1) freeze-dried or fresh frozen allografts, (2) carbon fiber scaffolds, either bare or with various coatings, (3) Dacron (polyethylene terephthalate)-based prosthetics, (4) polytetrafluoroethylene, and (5) bovine collagen tendons or ligaments.