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Clinical comparison of the Autologous Quadriceps Tendon (BQT) and the Autologous Patella Tendon (BPTB) for the reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

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

Abstract

The use of the BPTB-autograft is a very common method for ACL reconstruction. Nevertheless, the problem of the typical donor-site-morbidity is unresolved. Recently, a transplant of quadriceps tendon, with an attached bone block (BQT) has been increasingly relied upon. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical results of a group of patients after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using either BPTB or quadriceps tendon autograft after a minimum follow-up of 2 years in terms of knee joint stability and function using both subjective and objective criteria. Retrospective study. A total of 260 patients with ACL ruptures were operated between 1995 and 2000; 124 received a BQT-autograft, including 8 revisions; 136 patients received a BPTB-autograft, exclusively primary interventions. The results were evaluated using the IKDC-, Noyes- and Lysholm-Scores. It was possible to re-evaluate 194 patients after a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, 64 of 260 patients (25%) were lost to follow-up. Ninety-seven percent of the operated knee joints in the BPTB-group were judged as normal or almost normal with the IKDC evaluation, as were 83% in the BQT-group (P ≤ 0.001). The BQT-group showed a significantly better result in the evaluation of the donor-site-morbidity. We found no significant differences in the functional outcome according to the Lysholm- and Noyes-Score. In comparison to the results after using a BQT-transplant for reconstruction of a ruptured ACL the use of the BPTB-transplant is in favour concerning patient satisfaction and IKDC evaluation. For patients with activities involving kneeling or prolonged flexion of the knee joint BQT-transplants can be a good alternative, however.

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Gorschewsky, O., Klakow, A., Pütz, A. et al. Clinical comparison of the Autologous Quadriceps Tendon (BQT) and the Autologous Patella Tendon (BPTB) for the reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 15, 1284–1292 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0371-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0371-3

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