Nuestra experiencia en cirugía de rescate de LCA con tendón de Aquiles liofilizado / Our experience in ACL revision with freeze dried Achilles allograft

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To analyze the mid-term results of anterior cruciate ligament revision with freeze-dried allografts.Material and methods: 55 patients with failed ACL reconstruction were revised with freeze-dried Achilles allograft, mean age was 29 years (range between 19 and 51years). The mean follow-up was 24 months (range: 12 to64 months). Proximal fixation was achieved with the transfix device and distal fixation with interference screw. The postoperative protocol was the same in all patients. Radiographs and MRI were performed preoperative, and at 6, 12 and 18 months postoperative. We used the Lysholm Score to evaluate our results.Results: 20 patients complained of knee instability aftersurgery. Ten patients required further ACL revision withfresh-frozen allograft. MRI at 18 months showed 30%graft resorptions and 33 cases had tibial tunnel permeability which decreased with time. Radiographs showed dilated tibial tunnels. The range of motion was normal. 37 patients returned to their daily activities. Postoperative swelling was found in 41% of the cases and there were two septic arthritis (4%)Conclusion: We found a high number of problems andcomplications which have made us abandon the use offreeze-dried allografts (AU)