Primary repair of the ACL using the Suture Tape Augmentation technique: a case series with 2-year follow-up
ePoster - epESMA-48
Topic: Sports Trauma
Heusdens C., Lyssens M., Gijbels M., Zazulia K., Roelant E., Van Glabbeek F., Dossche L.
Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
Introduction: The Suture Tape Augmentation (STA) technique has been introduced for the repair of an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. ACL repair is a “hot topic”, but literature is not extensive, especially on the ACL STA technique.
Objectives: This paper present the results of the first patients with an acute ACL rupture, treated with the STA repair technique.
Aim: To evaluate the short term clinical outcomes after Suture Tape Augmentation technique.
Methods: This prospective study has been approved by the local ethical committee and informed consent of all patients is obtained. Inclusion criteria were: an ACL mid or proximal bundle rupture of less than 12 weeks old, with good ACL tissue quality and contact between the stumps. Exclusion criteria were: multi-ligament injuries, excluding medial collateral ligament or anterolateral ligament lesions, no informed consent, bony fractures who will compromise revalidation and non-sportive patients who will be treated with a conservative treatment. Thirty patients have been included and followed up for two years. Recorded pre-injury and post-operative patient related outcome measures (PROMS) were: Tegner, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Return to work and sports was recorded. Anterior-posterior (AP) knee laxity was measured using a Rolimeter. The clinical outcomes over time will be modelled using a mixed model. The ACL rerupture rate is expressed as a proportion with 95% confidence interval.
Results: The recorded scores (mean and SD) are summarized in Table 1. At two years postoperative the PROMS are at their pre-injury level.The mean return to work time (SD) is 8.8 (7.3) weeks, range 0-32 weeks, mean return to sports time is 29.1 weeks (18.9), range 12-80 weeks. Four patients (13.3% 95%CI [5.3,29.7]%) had a rerupture while playing sports.
Conclusion: The ACL repair Suture Tape Augmentation technique shows promising results for the PROMS, but the rerupture rate of 13.3% is high. Further research is needed for long term follow-up and if a stricter patient selection can be of influence on the rerupture rate.
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