Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using two blind transverse semi-patella tunnels and an implant-free technique for patellar fixation: a technical note

Background The double-bundle technique with two points of patellar fixation in the upper half of the patella replicating the broad attachment site of the native medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the most commonly performed procedure for MPFL reconstruction. Complete transverse patella tunnels pose a threat to the integrity of the patella. We present an implant-free, double-bundle technique for MPFL reconstruction with gracilis autograft, overcoming the problem of complete patella bone tunnels and over-drilling. Methods After standard gracilis graft harvesting, the anteromedial side of the patella is exposed. With the guidance of an anterior-cruciate-ligament (ACL) tibia-aiming device, two 2-mm parallel guide pins are inserted from medial to lateral at the upper half of the patella. The two guide pins are over-drilled with a cannulated 4.5-mm drill bit 2-cm deep, to create two transverse blind semi-patellar tunnels. For the femoral fixation, a 2.4-mm guide pin with an eyelet is drilled at the Schöttle point and over-reamed with a 6-mm cannulated reamer to a depth of 30 mm. The two free ends of the graft (with two running Krakow sutures placed) are pulled into the two patella tunnels and the graft sutures are tied together with tension for stable graft fixation at the lateral patella rim. With the help of a femoral suture loop (which is inserted in the femoral bone tunnel), the graft-loop is advanced into the femoral bone tunnel and the graft is finally fixed with a 7-mm interference screw at 30° of knee flexion. Results The utilization of blind transverse tunnels (not trans-patellar tunnels) offers the advantage of avoiding stress risers at the patella. Thanks to the ACL tibia aiming device, multiple drilling, and breaching of the anterior patellar cortex or articular surface of the patella is avoided. Conclusions This implant-free, and consequently affordable technique, isolated or combined with bony procedures, minimizes possibilities for perioperative bony complications at the patella fixation site.

Long-Term Results of ACL Reconstruction Using a Nonanatomic Double-Bundle Technique with Extra-Articular Reinforcement

Extra-articular procedures for the improvement in rotational stability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have gained popularity in the last decade. This surgical gesture hoped to improve resistance to the high tensional forces affecting the ACL graft during cutting and pivoting movements of the lower extremity and eventually prevent ACL reconstruction failure. We performed this study to analyze the long-term results of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction using a nonanatomic double-bundle technique with an additional extra-articular augmentation. All the cases that underwent an ACL reconstruction using a nonanatomic double-bundle technique with an extra-articular reinforcement during the period between 1992 and 1997 were reviewed. The inclusion criteria for this study included a minimum follow-up of 10 years and age between 14 and 45 years at the time of the surgery. Forty patients were included in this series (34 males and 6 females). The mean Lysholm score after a minimum follow-up period of 10 years was 92.3 (standard deviation [SD], 9.4). The average preoperative Tegner score of the participants was 7.0 (SD, 1.1). This score decreased to 5.7 (SD, 1.2) at the end of follow-up. Follow-up X-rays were reviewed to assess the degenerative changes in the three knee compartments. Degenerative changes ≥ Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2 were observed in our six (15%) patients, all of them in the medial knee compartment. With these results, we conclude that double-bundle nonanatomic ACL reconstruction combined with an extra-articular reinforcement resembling the anterolateral ligament offers good overall long-term results, with relatively low rates of osteoarthritis.