Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the ipsilateral Quadriceps tendon autograft: a modular reconstructive option.

PURPOSE: Failed ACL reconstruction is a common occurrence nowadays due to the increased incidence of ACL surgeries and return to full activities following the surgery. Several challenges might stand in the face of this revision surgery particularly the graft harvest and its suitability to the situation with possible widening of the tunnel and the avoidance of additional morbidity at the contralateral side or anterior knee pain as in patellar tendon harvest. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ipsilateral quadriceps tendon as a source of autograft in revision ACL surgery which constitutes a viable option that can potentially decrease the morbidity of the procedure, and meanwhile provide a graft substitute that can be tailored to suit the dilated tunnels commonly encountered in revision surgery, thus giving the patients a good potential for better functional outcome. METHODS: Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was done in 30 patients using the ipsilateral quad tendon as a pure soft tissue or with a bony fragment. RESULTS: The mean subjective international Knee Documentation Committee score (IKDC score) at two years follow-up was 65.83 ± 7.20. There is statistically significant improvement of the objective as well as the subjective IKDC scores at the end of follow-up when compared to the preoperative as well as the 6-month evaluation figures. The KT1000 arthrometer recorded a mean of 4.50 ± 1.07. Significant improvement of the limb symmetry index was at two years duration. CONCLUSIONS: The quadriceps tendon can be a solution for several challenges that might appear during the revision ACL surgery with comparable results to other tendons and with minimal morbidity on the function of the harvested muscle tendon.

Is intravenous tranexamic acid effective in reduction of blood loss during pelvic and acetabular surgery?

PURPOSE: Pelvic and acetabular surgery is associated with one of the highest amounts of blood loss. Tranexamic acid is a good choice to reduce blood loss during this type of surgery. However, being antifibrinolytic drug, the chance to have coagulation complications including DVT is a risk that should be considered particularly in such major trauma patients with the body's response to trauma and with possible prolonged bed stay. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous tranexamic acid injection during pelvic and acetabular surgery for reduction of blood loss during surgery and after surgery and to evaluate any possible complications for its use. METHODS: This prospective randomized clinical trial includes 97 patients divided between two groups; group 1 (G1) which received TXA, while the second group (G2) is the control group. The primary outcome measures were total blood loss (TBL), allogenic blood units transfused, and the blood lost intra-operatively (IBL). The TBL was calculated by the haemoglobin balance method while the intra-operative blood loss was measured by the gravimetric method. Any complications related to the drug were evaluated particularly DVT. RESULTS: The study showed significantly less TBL (G1 = 829.7 ± 219.2, G2 = 1036.9 ± 314.9) and blood transfusion (G1 = 52.4 ± 40 g, G2 = 89.4 ± 60.6 g) in G1 compared to the G2. CONCLUSION: This study proved the possible reduction of TBL and the need of blood transfusion by the use of TXA in pelvic and acetabular injuries.

No difference in sensory outcome between vertical and oblique incisions for hamstring graft harvest during ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence, extent of sensory loss, its clinical effect and natural course caused by sensory nerve injury, during two different skin incisions used for autogenous hamstring graft harvest during ACL reconstruction. METHODS: This randomized prospective study was carried out on 84 patients, divided into two groups, all of them underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft with two incisions; a vertical incision used in 43 patients, and an oblique incision in 41 patients. The location and area of sensory loss were evaluated during follow-up as well as the degree of improvement and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The average age in this study was 29.8 ± 7.2 in the vertical group and 29.9 ± 6.3 in the oblique group. Both semitendinosus and gracilles were harvested in 34 patients, semitendinosus in 49 patients and gracilles in one patient. In the vertical group, a higher incidence of sensory loss was recorded with 21 patients (51.2%), relative to the oblique group with 18 patients (41.9%). However, there was no statistically significant difference (p = n.s). Most of the sensory loss affected the distribution of the IPBSN (infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve) in 27 patients (69.2%) in both groups, and to a lesser extent in the lower medial area [distribution of SBSN (sartorial branch of saphenous nerve)] in 12 patients (30.8%). CONCLUSION: This study clearly revealed the high incidence of nerve injury particularly the IPBSN during hamstring graft harvest, but did not prove a difference between oblique and vertical incisions, with regard to postoperative sensory loss. It was clear that harvesting the semitendinosus alone is not a factor that can diminish nerve injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.