Arthroscopic Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation Versus Microfracture: A 6-Year Follow-up of a Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Few randomized controlled trials with a midterm follow-up have compared matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) with microfracture (MFx) for knee cartilage lesions. PURPOSE: To compare the structural, clinical, and safety outcomes at midterm follow-up of MACT versus MFx for treating symptomatic knee cartilage lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A total of 48 patients aged between 18 and 50 years, with 1- to 4-cm2 International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade III to IV knee chondral lesions, were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the MACT and MFx treatment groups. A sequential prospective evaluation was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping, the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score, second-look arthroscopic surgery, patient-reported outcome measures, the responder rate (based on achieving the minimal clinically important difference for the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS] pain and KOOS Sport/Recreation), adverse events, and treatment failure (defined as a reoperation because of symptoms caused by the primary defect and the detachment or absence of >50% of the repaired tissue during revision surgery). RESULTS: Overall, 35 patients (18 MACT and 17 MFx) with a mean chondral lesion size of 1.8 ± 0.8 cm2 (range, 1-4 cm2) were followed up to a mean of 6 years postoperatively (range, 4-9 years). MACT demonstrated significantly better structural outcomes than MFx at 1 to 6 years postoperatively. At final follow-up, the MRI T2 mapping values of the repaired tissue were 37.7 ± 8.5 ms for MACT versus 46.4 ± 8.5 ms for MFx (P = .003), while the MOCART scores were 59.4 ± 17.3 and 42.4 ± 16.3, respectively (P = .006). More than 50% defect filling was seen in 95% of patients at 2 years and 82% at 6 years in the MACT group and in 67% at 2 years and 53% at 6 years in the MFx group. The second-look ICRS scores at 1 year were 10.7 ± 1.3 for MACT and 9.0 ± 1.8 for MFx (P = .001). Both groups showed significant clinical improvements at 6 years postoperatively compared with their preoperative status. Significant differences favoring the MACT group were observed at 2 years on the KOOS Activities of Daily Living (P = .043), at 4 years on all KOOS subscales (except Symptoms; P < .05) and the Tegner scale (P = .008), and at 6 years on the Tegner scale (P = .010). The responder rates at 6 years were 53% and 77% for MFx and MACT, respectively. There were no reported treatment failures after MACT; the failure rate was 8.3% in the MFx group. Neither group had serious adverse events related to treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent MACT had better structural outcomes than those who underwent MFx at 1 to 6 years postoperatively. Both groups of patients showed significant clinical improvements at final follow-up compared with their preoperative status. MACT showed superiority at 4 years for the majority of the KOOS subscales and for the Tegner scale at 4 to 6 years. The MACT group also had a higher responder rate and lower failure rate at final follow-up. REGISTRATION: NCT01947374 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

First Clinical Application of Polyurethane Meniscal Scaffolds with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Assessment of Cartilage Quality with T2 Mapping at 12 Months.

BACKGROUND: Complex meniscal lesions often require meniscectomy with favorable results in the short term but a high risk of early osteoarthritis subsequently. Partial meniscectomy treated with meniscal substitutes may delay articular cartilage degeneration. PURPOSE: To evaluate the status of articular cartilage by T2 mapping after meniscal substitution with polyurethane scaffolds enriched with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and comparison with acellular scaffolds at 12 months. METHODS: Seventeen patients (18-50 years) with past meniscectomies were enrolled in 2 groups: (1) acellular polyurethane scaffold (APS) or (2) polyurethane scaffold enriched with MSC (MPS). Patients in the MPS group received filgrastim to stimulate MSC production, and CD90+ cells were obtained and cultured in the polyurethane scaffold. The scaffolds were implanted arthroscopically into partial meniscus defects. Concomitant injuries (articular cartilage lesions or cartilage lesions) were treated during the same procedure. Changes in the quality of articular cartilage were evaluated with T2 mapping in femur and tibia at 12 months. RESULTS: In tibial T2 mapping, values for the MPS group increased slightly at 9 months but returned to initial values at 12 months (P > 0.05). In the APS group, a clear decrease from 3 months to 12 months was observed (P > 0.05). This difference tended to be significantly lower in the APS group compared with the MPS group at the final time point (P = 0.18). In the femur, a slight increase in the MPS group (47.8 ± 3.4) compared with the APS group (45.3 ± 4.9) was observed (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Meniscal substitution with polyurethane scaffold maintains normal T2 mapping values in adjacent cartilage at 12 months. The addition of MSC did not show any advantage in the protection of articular cartilage over acellular scaffolds (P > 0.05).

Arthroscopic Matrix-Encapsulated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: A Pilot Multicenter Investigation in Latin America.

Objective. To evaluate minimum biosecurity parameters (MBP) for arthroscopic matrix-encapsulated autologous chondrocyte implantation (AMECI) based on patients' clinical outcomes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-mapping, Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score, and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) second-look arthroscopic evaluation, laying the basis for a future multicenter study. Design. Pilot clinical study. We analyzed the logistics to perform AMECI to treat focal chondral lesions in different hospitals following strict biosecurity parameters related to tissue and construct transportation, chondrocyte isolation, and cell expansion. Patient progress was analyzed with patient-reported outcome measures, MRI T2-mapping, MOCART, and ICRS arthroscopic second-look evaluation. Results. Thirty-five lesions in 30 patients treated in 7 different hospitals were evaluated. Cell viability before implantation was >90%. Cell viability in construct remnants was 87% ± 11% at 24 hours, 75% ± 17.1% at 48 hours, and 60% ± 8% at 72 hours after implantation. Mean final follow-up was 37 months (12-72 months). Patients showed statistically significant improvement in all clinical scores and MOCART evaluations. MRI T2-mapping evaluation showed significant decrease in relaxation time from 61.2 ± 14.3 to 42.9 ± 7.2 ms (P < 0.05). Arthroscopic second-look evaluation showed grade II "near normal" tissue in 83% of patients. Two treatment failures were documented. Conclusions. It was feasible to perform AMECI in 7 different institutions in a large metropolitan area following our biosecurity measures without any implant-related complication. Treated patients showed improvement in clinical, MRI T2-mapping, and MOCART scores, as well as a low failure rate and a favorable ICRS arthroscopic evaluation at a mid-term follow-up. Level of Evidence. 2b.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Patellar and Trochlear Cartilage Lesions with Matrix Encapsulated Chondrocyte Implantation versus Microfracture: Quantitative Assessment with MRI T2-Mapping and MOCART at 4-Year Follow-up.

METHODS: Seventeen patients aged 18 to 55 years with symptomatic full-thickness cartilage lesions on either patella or trochlea were treated with matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) or microfracture (MF). Both procedures combined with unloading/realigning techniques. Clinical assessment and T2-mapping were evaluated at 48-months. RESULTS: Clinically results from pre-op to 48-months improved significantly in MACI and MF for Lysholm (p = 0.001, p = 0.001), IKDC-S (p = 0.001, p = 0.002), KOOS-P (p = 0.000, p = 0.002), KOOS-DLA (p = 0.002, p = 0.003), KOOS-Sports/Rec (p = 0.000, p = 0.004), KOOS-QoL (p = 0.000, p = 0.003), KOOS-symptoms (p = 0.001, p = 0.020), and Kujala (p = 0.000, p = 0.01), respectively. Tegner was significant between baseline and 48 months only for MACI (p < 0.008) compared with MF (p = 0.25). No significant difference was observed between groups for any score at 3, 12, 24, and 48-months (p > 0.05). T2-mapping values improved significantly over time in MACI compared with MF at 24 months (39.35 vs. 50.44, p = 0.007) and 48 months (36.54 vs. 48.37, p = 0.005). When comparing control values to MACI at 12-m (p = 0.714), 24-m (p = 0.175), and 48-m (p = 0.097), no significant difference was found. MOCART (Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) score comparison gave no statistical difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically both techniques improved significantly over time. However, quantitative assessment showed that only newly formed tissue with MACI technique improves significantly since 12-months and maintains stable values compared with native cartilage until 48-month follow-up. MF results were never comparable to those native values. Level of evidence II.

Radiographic displacement of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations fixed with AC TightRope.

BACKGROUND: The arthroscopic approach to acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation with methods such as AC TightRope fixation has reported radiographic failure rates between 18% and 50% with functional results graded as good or excellent. Our objective was to review the outcomes after arthroscopic fixation for acute AC joint dislocation using the TightRope device. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 52 patients, with a mean age of 31 years, who underwent arthroscopic fixation with the TightRope device for acute AC joint dislocation. Outcomes were evaluated using the Constant and University of California, Los Angeles scores. The coracoclavicular (CC) distance before and after surgery was compared by radiography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 36.7 months (range, 6-65 months). Postoperatively, the mean Constant score was 97.13 and the mean University of California, Los Angeles score was 33.2. The CC distance was maintained in 73% of the patients, whereas partial loss of reduction occurred in 19.2% and failure of reduction occurred in 7.7%. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic fixation using the TightRope device for acute AC joint dislocation achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, CC reconstruction appears to result in subluxation in cases with AC dislocation for a period of more than 10 days.

Anatomic Considerations in Hamstring Tendon Harvesting for Ligament Reconstruction.

Hamstring tendon autograft remains a popular graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Although the technique of hamstring autograft harvest is relatively straightforward, it is critical to pay attention to several technical steps to avoid iatrogenic anatomic or neurovascular damage as well as to reduce the risk of premature amputation of the graft when using a tendon stripper. We describe a technique of hamstring autograft harvesting using only 2 anatomic references that makes it a simple and reproducible technique for surgeons, especially those in training.

La resistina se asocia con la proteína C reactiva y marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en niños obesos / Resistin is associated with C reactive protein and cardiovascular risk markers in obese children / A resistina associa-se à proteína C reativa e aos marcadores de risco cardiovascular em crianças obesas

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar los niveles de resistina sérica y su asociación con la proteína C reactiva (PCR-hs), óxido nítrico (NO) y lípidos plasmáticos (LP) en sujetos de edad pediátrica. Participaron 366 niños y adolescentes (10-16 años), agrupados en eutróficos (n=162) y obesos (n=204). Se les estudió peso, talla, circunferencia de la cintura, resistina sérica, glucosa e insulina basal, LP, NO, PCR-hs, malondialdehído y tensión arterial. Se calculó el IMC, el índice cintura-talla (IC/T) y el HOMA-IR. Se utilizaron las pruebas t de Student, ANOVA, U de Mann y Whitney o Kruskal- Wallis para comparar entre grupos y la correlación de Spearman para determinar asociación entre variables. Los obesos masculinos presentaron niveles superiores de resistina (p<0,05). El género femenino presentó valores más altos de resistina en eutróficos (p=0,012) y con IC/T normal (p=0,011). A mayor concentración de resistina los eutróficos presentaron niveles más altos de triacilglicéridos, pero los obesos mostraron niveles más bajos de triacilglicéridos, HDLc y NO, más altos de PCR-hs y mayor IMC. Los resultados sugieren que la resistina podría ser un factor de riesgo para la enfermedad cardiovascular por su asociación positiva con la PCR-hs e inversa con el NO y la HDLc, parámetros involucrados en la inflamación y la disfunción endotelial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate seric levels of resitin and their association with high-sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), nitric oxide (NO) and plasmatic lipids (PL) in a pediatric age population. A total of 366 children and adolescents (between 10-16 years old) participated, and were grouped into eutrophic (n=162) and obese (n=204). Weight, height, waist circumference, resistin, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, PL, hs-CRP, NO, malondialdehyde and blood pressure were measured. BMI, waist to height ratio (W/HR) and HOMA-IR were calculated. T-student, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U-value or Kruskal-Wallis were used to compare between groups and Spearman correlation was used to determine association among variables. Male obese subjects showed higher resistin levels (p<0.05). Female subjects showed higher resistin values in the eutrophic group (p=0.012) and in the normal W/HR (p=0.011). At higher levels of resistin, the eutrophic group showed higher levels of triacylglycerides, but the obese group showed lower triacylglycerides, HDLc and NO levels and higher hs-CRP levels and BMI. These results suggest that resistin could be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease because of its positive association with hs-CRP and inverse association with NO and HDLc, parameters involved in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar os níveis séricos de resistina sérica e sua associação com a proteína C-reativa (PCR-hs), óxido nítrico (NO) e lipídios plasmáticos (LP) em crianças e adolescentes. O estudo envolveu 366 crianças e adolescentes (10-16 anos), agrupados em eutróficos (n=162) e obesos (n=204). Os sujeitos foram estudados em relação ao peso, altura, circunferência da cintura, resistina sérica, glicose e insulina basal, LP, NO, PCR-hs, malondialdeído e pressão arterial. Os IMC, índice cintura-altura (IC/A) e HOMA-IR foram calculados. Foram utilizados os Testes t de Student, ANOVA, U de Mann e Whitney ou Kruskal-Wallis para comparar entre os grupos e a correlação de Spearman para verificar a associação entre variáveis. Os obesos masculinos mostraram níveis mais elevados de resistina (p<0,05). O sexo feminino apresentou valores mais altos de resistina em eutróficos (p=0,012) e com IC/T normal (p=0,011). À maior concentração de resistina, os eutróficos apresentaram maiores níveis de triacilglicerídeos, mas os obesos apresentaram níveis mais baixos de triacilglicerídeos, HDLc e NO, mais altos de PCR-hs e maior IMC. Os resultados sugerem que a resistina poderia ser um fator de risco para a doença cardiovascular devido à sua associação positiva com a PCR-hs e inversa com o NO e a HDLc, parâmetros envolvidos na inflamação e disfunção endotelial.

[Association between resistin serum levels and dimension and body composition variables in children and adolescents]. / Asociación de la resistina con variables de dimensión y composición corporal en eutróficos y obesos.

BACKGROUND: Resistin is an adipokine secreted in adipose tissue that may be associated with the metabolic and endocrine disorders of obesity. AIM: To assess the association between serum resistin levels and body composition variables, in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional assessment of 302 subjects, aged 10-16 years. According to body mass index, 124 were classified as eutrophic and 178 as obese. A clinical examination and pubertal assessment were performed. Body weight, height, waist and arm circumferences were measured. Serum resistin levels were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Male obese children had significantly higher resistin levels than their eutrophic counterparts. Eutrophic women had higher levels than eutrophic males. No significant association between resistin and pubertal status was observed. In the whole sample and among obese subjects, resistin levels correlated with body mass index, tricipital skinfold, arm circumference, arm fat area and fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between resistin levels and body composition variables, particularly with indicators of fat accretion.

Asociación de la resistina con variables de dimensión y composición corporal en eutróficos y obesos / Association between resistin serum levels and dimension and body composition variables in children and adolescents

Background: Resistin is an adipokine secreted in adipose tissue that may be associated with the metabolic and endocrine disorders of obesity. Aim: To assess the association between serum resistin levels and body composition variables, in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 302 subjects, aged 10-16 years. According to body mass index, 124 were classified as eutrophic and 178 as obese. A clinical examination and pubertal assessment were performed. Body weight, height, waist and arm circumferences were measured. Serum resistin levels were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay. Results: Male obese children had significantly higher resistin levels than their eutrophic counterparts. Eutrophic women had higher levels than eutrophic males. No significant association between resistin and pubertal status was observed. In the whole sample and among obese subjects, resistin levels correlated with body mass index, tricipital skinfold, arm circumference, arm fat area and fat mass. Conclusions: There is a significant association between resistin levels and body composition variables, particularly with indicators of fat accretion.

Técnica para realizar el tunel femoral a través del portal anteromedial en la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior / Using the anteromedial portal for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

La perforación del túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial permite la colocación anatómica del túnel femoral, es indispensable en la reconstrucción con doble banda y en la técnica todo adentro. Existen varios retos y complicaciones cuando se toma la decisión de realizar esta técnica, los cuales deben ser conocidos por el cirujano antes de llevar a cabo este procedimiento. El propósito de esta revisión es describir los pasos a seguir para los cirujanos que contemplan realizar el túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial para la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior.

Técnica para realizar el tunel femoral a través del portal anteromedial en la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior / Using the anteromedial portal for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

La perforación del túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial permite la colocación anatómica del túnel femoral, es indispensable en la reconstrucción con doble banda y en la técnica todo adentro. Existen varios retos y complicaciones cuando se toma la decisión de realizar esta técnica, los cuales deben ser conocidos por el cirujano antes de llevar a cabo este procedimiento. El propósito de esta revisión es describir los pasos a seguir para los cirujanos que contemplan realizar el túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial para la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior (AU)

[Results of arthroscopic debridement and lavage in patients with knee osteoarthritis]. / Resultados obtenidos con la limpieza articular artroscópica de rodilla en pacientes con osteoartritis.

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative process that affects people over 50 years old and is an important cause of disability. Treatment options include non-operative and operative modalities. Arthroscopic lavage and debridement may be the first choice to consider in patients between 45 and 65 years with early OA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a self-controlled clinical trial with deliberate maneuver assignment. Thirty nine patients between 38 and 68 year of age with clinical and radiographic knee OA were included. Patients underwent arthroscopic lavage and debridement between January of 2001 and December 2003. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation was performed using the HSS knee score as well as questions that evaluated patient satisfaction and subjective function. Statistical analysis using one tailed Student's t-test was performed. Significance was considered with ap value of < 0.0001. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients completed the evaluation. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Mean age of patients was 53 (38 to 68). Mean preoperative HSS score was 54.9 and average postoperative score was 74.8. Thirty-one out of 33 patients (93%) were satisfied and reported good subjective function after the operation. Twenty five of these patients presented Outerbridge grade II-III cartilage defects and 6 patients presented grade IV lesions. Twenty nine of the 33 patients (87.8%) referred improvement to perform their daily-living activities and 4 patients did not improve. Thirty two out of 33 patients would recommend the operation. DISCUSSION: Arthroscopic debridement and lavage improves function and satisfaction in patients with grade II and III of OA. Patients with severe chondral lesions (grade IV) also improved to a lesser extent. Thus, arthroscopic debridement and lavage is a good treatment alternative in young patients with early OA.

[Clinical-ultrasonographic assessment in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair after 1-year follow-up]. / Evaluación clínico-ultrasonográfica en la reparación artroscópica del mango rotador a 1 año de seguimiento postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff have shown have shown encouraging clinical results. However, few authors have assessed integrity of repair with ultrasound. The presence of re-rupture by ultrasonography in a rotator cuff repair may not relate to the patient's functional status. OBJECTIVE: We used ultrasonography to assess the prevalence of re-rupture in rotator cuff repairs and its clinical relevance with minimum 1 year postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evidence level IV (Case series). We evaluated 27 shoulders that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clinical evaluation was performed using UCLA functional scale, visual analogue scale (UCLA, VAS). Post-operative ultrasound was performed at least 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: We examined 27 shoulders, mean age 56.4 (41-78), mean postoperative follow-up 19.6 (12 m-88 m). Clinical assessment with UCLA functional scale results were: good-excellent (77.4%); fair (22.2%). VAS results showed that 44.4% reported VAS of 0; in the range of 1-3 VAS was 55.5% of the patients. Ultrasound evaluation showed no injury in 37%; partial lesion 51.9%, and a total lesion 11.1%. Thirty-three % of the patients with VAS of 0 showed no injury when evaluated by ultrasonography, injury by ultrasound 33.3% with VAS (1-3) 22.2%. UCLA (good-excellent) without injury by ultrasound 33.3% with a 44.4% degree of injury, UCLA (Fair) without injury 3.7%, with some degree of lesion 18.5%. Results no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, we find that integrity of rotator cuff postoperative ultrasound, it has no effect on the functional status of patients with postoperative follow-up of at least 1 year, with UCLA and VAS.

[Cost analysis and economic impact of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]. / Análisis de costo e impacto económico de la reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA).

INTRODUCTION: Health economics studies play an important role in all healthcare systems. The purpose of the latter is to offer effective and low-cost treatments. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the costs and the economic impact of the comprehensive ACL treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An average cost study was done of primary ACL reconstruction. We studied 104 patients during 2005, 79 males and 25 females, with mean age 31.5 years. The assessment of the preoperative, operative and postoperative costs was related to each patient's socioeconomic stratum (SES). RESULTS: The hamstrings were the most frequently used graft (71%) versus the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BTB) (29%). Socioeconomic strata 2 and 3 were predominant. The following were the most frequent hamstrings implants used: Rigidfix/Intrafix and Endobutton/Xtralok, while the most frequent BTB grafts used were the metallic interference screws. No difference was found between the types of grafts and the SES in the preoperative and postoperative costs, including imaging studies, hospital say and rehabilitation. However, differences were found among the different groups in the cost of surgery, resulting from the type of implant used. The mean cost for SES 1 and 2 was $6475.20, for SES 3 and 4, $8057.51, and for SES 5 and 6, $16,242.5. The vulnerable population (SES 1) needs 7.34-fold its monthly income to pay for the comprehensive treatment, while the middle stratum (SES 3) needs 3.27-fold its monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive cost of treatment is proportionally higher than the patients' income. It is important to point out that the systems using state-of-the-art technology, which in another setting would be inaccessible, have significant advantages when compared with the less expensive systems. Thus the economically vulnerable SES benefit from the subsidy granted by the National Institutes of Health.

[Meniscal repair in patients with chronic lesions]. / Reparación meniscal en pacientes con lesiones crónicas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the subjective and objective outcome of arthroscopic meniscal repair in patients with chronic meniscal lesions. METHODS: A group of patients that underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair of chronic tears with a minimum follow-up of six months was retrospectively evaluated. Physical examination oriented at finding persistent meniscal lesions was performed. IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were applied, and a control magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. RESULTS: Twenty seven menisci in 25 patients were repaired. There were 21 male and 4 female patients with a mean age of 29.6 +/- 8.2 years (20-45). Mean time from lesion to surgery was 25.24 +/- 26 months (6-120). 27. There was significant improvement in all parameters evaluated in 21 patients. Four patients were found to have signs and symptoms of persistent meniscal tears. Abnormal increased signal intensity in the repaired menisci was observed by MRI in all patients, not correlating with clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term success rate of 85% was obtained with arthroscopic repair of chronic meniscal lesions in this study, which supports the fact that a long period of time before surgery does not necessarily lead to failure. It is valid to perform a meniscal repair in patients with chronic tears as long as the proper surgical technique and an adequate rehabilitation protocol are used.

Minimally invasive quadriceps tendon harvest.

Quadriceps tendon (QT) is becoming a popular graft for primary and revision ligament surgery. A subcutaneous technique for graft harvesting a QT is presented. Special closed tendon strippers were designed; these devices have 10- and 11-mm inner diameters and are stronger and sharper than regular hamstrings strippers. In the mid-line of the patellar upper pole, a 2-cm longitudinal incision is made, a 20- x 10-mm bone plug is created with an oscillating saw, and the tendon stripper is positioned and advanced into the thigh, dissecting the QT until the desired length, usually 10 cm, is obtained. The graft can be released by making a stab incision at the device's tip or by ventrally pointing and turning the tendon stripper to amputate the graft's end. The QT graft can be prepared in several fashions for 1- or 2-bundle ligament reconstructions. The technique was tested and refined in 3 cadaver specimens and has been used at our institution since 2003 in 18 primary posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with no problems. This minimally invasive technique is safe, provides a consistently good-quality graft with excellent cosmetic results, and is simple and easily reproducible.

Resultados en la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con el injerto rotuliano hueso-tendon-hueso. Seguimiento a dos años / Results of reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament by bone tendon bone patellar grafting. A two year follow up

Se desarrolló el presente trabajo con el objetivo de evaluar los resultados, a dos años de la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) con el injerto rotuliano hueso-tendón-hueso. El presente estudio incluyó a 37 pacientes con lesión del LCA que se sometieron a reconstrucción con técnica artroscópica utilizando injerto autólogo del tendón patelar, hueso-tendón-hueso. Se les realizó una evaluación pre y postoperatoria clínica, radiográfica y funcional de acuerdo a las escalas de valoración de Lysholm y del IKDC. Se observó mejoría funcional en 36 de los pacientes estudiados retornando a sus actividades previas a la lesión, la inestabilidad disminuyó en todos los pacientes al menos 1 grado y en algunos ésta desapareció. Como complicaciones 3 pacientes refirieron dolor en la zona donadora del injerto y 2 más presentaron intolerancia al material por lo que se retiraron los tornillos sin afectar el resultado final. Se concluye que se obtuvo un 94.5 por ciento de resultados excelentes y buenos, proporcionando adecuada estabilidad, excelente función de la rodilla y con mínimos o nulos cambios radiográficos postoperatorios.

Artroscopía y osteotomía proximal de tibia tipo Maquet en el tratamiento del genu varo / Arthroscopy and Maquet proximal tibial osteotomy for treatment of genu varus

La osteotomía correctora de varo en la rodilla es un tratamiento extraarticular que cuando se asocia a la artroscopía, es posible mejorar el pronóstico funcional de la rodilla. Se incluyen 48 pacientes (53 rodillas) con diagnóstico de genu varo, con una edad promedio de 55 años 5 meses y con un seguimiento de 25 meses. A todos se les efectuó una artroscopía en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico de la realización de la osteotomía proximal de tibia tipo Maquet para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las lesiones asociadas de la rodilla. De los 48 pacientes, a 11 de ellos se les contraindicó la osteotomía debido a los cambios degenerativos del compartimento lateral, programándose en fechas posteriores para un reemplazo articular total. De los restantes pacientes se obtuvieron 23 resultados excelentes, 16 buenos, 2 regulares y 1 malo. La artroscopía asociada a la osteotomía proximal de tibia tipo Maquet en el tratamiento del genu varo es un método objetivo de evaluación, que permite detectar y tratar las lesiones articulares asociadas mejorando los resultados funcionales a mediano plazo.

Fijación directa del injerto de semitendinoso y recto interno con tornillo de interferencia en la plastía artroscópica del ligamento cruzado anterior / Direct fixation of semitendinosus-gracilis grafting by interferential screw for arthroscopy plasty of anterior cruciate ligament

Existen distintas técnicas de fijación en la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con la técnica con injerto de semitendinoso y recto interno como las grapas, el endobotón, el tornillo transcondíleo, tornillo poste, sutura directa y otros. Sin embargo, existe también la técnica de fijación directa con tornillo de interferencia por vía artroscópica, de la cual hasta el inicio de este trabajo existían muy pocos reportes nacionales. Durante el segundo trimestre de 1996 se realizaron 10 cirugías de plastía del ligamento cruzado anterior por vía artroscópica con injerto de semitendinoso y recto interno utilizando como medio de fijación tornillos de interferencia, estos pacientes fueron valorados a las 4, 8 y 12 semanas así como a los 3, 6, 12 y 24 meses después de la cirugía obteniendo un 60 por ciento de buenos resultados.