Abstract
To compare the results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery with or without fluoroscopic control.
We retrospectively compared 2 groups of 15 patients who had ACL reconstruction between 1997–2001. Our primary concern was to see if a perioperative lateral x-ray significantly improved the position of the graft when compared with a similar group having no such x-ray.
All patients were reconstructed using an open bone-patella-bone technique.
Data was collected on patient demographics, previous surgery, time to reconstruction, operative time, and complications. The post–operative lateral x-ray was assessed and the relative position of the centre of the graft determined using a percentage for the tibial and femoral tunnels. The graft divergence angle and distance between the posterior femoral cortex and the centre of the graft was calculated.
All patients were male with equal mean age at reconstruction (29 yrs). The 2 groups were also similar in terms of previous surgery and time to reconstruction. In the group without x-ray control there were 2 graft failures due to anterior placement of the graft whereas in the x-ray control group there were no failures. The operative time was slightly longer in the x-ray group.
There was no significant difference between the 2 groups when comparing tibial tunnel placement and graft divergence. However the position of the femoral tunnel was significantly improved in the x-ray group when compared with the control group as measured by the distance between posterior femoral cortex and centre of graft (7mm vs 9mm) and also the relative position along Blumenstaat’s line (90% vs 75%).
The authors conclude that in our institution the use of Fluoroscopic control during ACL reconstructive surgery improved femoral tunnel placement.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Richard Buxton. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Bankton Cottage, 21 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Cupar, Fife KY15 7PY, United Kingdom
