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Allograft Use in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

  • Original Article
  • Published:
HSS Journal ®

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons. While autograft reconstruction remains the gold standard, allograft tissues have become a controversial option for ACL reconstruction. No data currently exist regarding recent trends in graft choices, and no consensus exists over which graft type is most appropriate for which patient. In this article, we examine trends in ACL graft choice at our institution, and review the pertinent information a surgeon must consider when making this decision. We reviewed operating room records from 2002 to 2008 to determine trends in graft choice for primary single bundle ACL reconstruction. Total number of procedures performed, graft choices, and patient ages were recorded. Patients were divided into the following age groups: less than 16, 16 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, and over 50. Percent of ACL reconstructions using allograft was calculated for each year, as well as for each age group. Data were analyzed for trends in ACL graft choice over this time period as well as for trends in graft choice by age. We hypothesized that the rate of allograft use in primary ACL reconstruction had increased over time and that allograft use was associated with higher patient age. We also review the risks, safety, and standards for tissue procurement. Allograft use increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 2002 (17%) to 2008 (46%). There was also a significant difference (p < 0.001) in average age of patients receiving allografts (40.4 years) and autografts (26.4 years). Allograft use was significantly associated with higher patient age (p < 0.05) and increased with each successive age group from a rate of 9.9% in patients under 16 to 79.9% in patients over 50. Our study found that allograft use in primary ACL reconstruction has significantly increased from 2002 to 2008 and is significantly more common in older patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th St., New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Patrick W. Jost MD, Christopher J. Dy MD, MSPH, Catherine M. Robertson MD & Anne M. Kelly MD

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  1. Patrick W. Jost MD
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  2. Christopher J. Dy MD, MSPH
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  3. Catherine M. Robertson MD
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  4. Anne M. Kelly MD
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Correspondence to Patrick W. Jost MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the reporting of this case, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Retrospective Case Series)

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Jost, P.W., Dy, C.J., Robertson, C.M. et al. Allograft Use in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. HSS Jrnl 7, 251–256 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-011-9212-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-011-9212-5

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