The Correlation Between Graft Size and Graft Failure in Hamstring Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated various factors that contribute to graft failure in hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, there is debate about the potential advantages of increasing graft diameters beyond 8 mm. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study (level of evidence III), we investigated whether increasing graft sizes beyond 8 mm diameter showed any advantages in reducing the risk of graft failure. We utilized univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard (PH) regression models to compare the risk of failure in the different patient groups. Mutual adjustment was performed for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and graft strands. Graft sizes ranging between 8 and 10 mm were assessed for their association with graft failure, alongside examining the impact of graft strands, age, and BMI on graft failure. RESULTS: A total of 487 patients underwent hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction at our hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. Our analysis indicated that among patients undergoing hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction, the risk of graft failure was 1.64 times higher for patients with a graft size between 8.5 and 9 mm (95% CI 0.36-7.43, p=0.483) and 2.19 times higher for patients with a graft size between 9.5 and 10.5 mm (95% CI 0.42-11.31, p=0.384) compared to those with an 8 mm graft. However, there was weak evidence against the null hypothesis.  Conclusion: These findings suggest that there is no benefit to increasing graft sizes past 8 mm and that other factors, like surgical technique, should be considered when assessing the risk of graft failure in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Stand-Alone Tibial Interference Screw Fixation and Tibial Interference Screw Plus Tibial Staple Fixation Produce Comparable Outcomes After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Autografts.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of adding a metal staple alongside the interference screw in tibial side graft fixation during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: All patients treated with autograft hamstring ACLR at our institution between January 2017 and December 2021 with a minimum 1-year follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Patients treated with a stand-alone interference screw for tibial side fixation were compared with those treated with a combination of interference screw and staple. The primary outcome was failure of the reconstructed graft. Secondary outcomes were operative time, complication rate, and reoperation rate. Results: A total of 497 patients met the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. A combination of staple and interference screw was used in 167 patients (33.6%), whereas a standalone interference screw was used in 330 patients. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of operative time, complication rate, or failure rate. The mean follow-up was 23.25 (±13.29) months. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that augmenting the interference screw with a staple for tibial-side fixation in ACLR does not have a significant impact on operative time, reoperation rate, complications, or failure rates. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Acute Atraumatic Compartment Syndrome of the Thigh Due to Acquired Coagulopathy Disorder: A Case Report in Known Healthy Patient.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of spontaneous compartment syndrome due to a very rare cause which is acquired hemophilia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old patient presented with the right thigh swelling and features of acute compartment syndrome without history of trauma. He had no history of bleeding disorder. There were no features of infection. As his initial blood tests were within normal 16 g/dl, and his compartment syndrome worsened, he had decompression of the thigh. During the post-operative period, the patient developed persistent bleeding from the decompressed wounds and a fall in hemoglobin which led to further investigation when the blood profile showed a deficiency of factor VIII and antibodies to factor VIII, diagnosis of acquired hemophilia was made and appropriate treatment given. CONCLUSION: If atraumatic compartment syndrome diagnosed, possibility of acquired factor VIII deficiency should be raised by isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and diagnosis confirmed by measuring factor VIII activity level and detecting any factor's VIII antibodies in blood, such as in this case, the factor VIII level was 5.5 (very low) and against factor VIII antibodies level was 60.8 (high). Here, hematologist should be involved in management.