Author/Authors :
Barion Castro de Padua, Vitor Associação Beneficiente Hospital Universitário (ABHU), Marília, SP, Brazil. , Cesar rodrigues Vilela, Júlio Associação Beneficiente Hospital Universitário (ABHU), Marília, SP, Brazil. , aCulha esPindola, Wendel Associação Beneficiente Hospital Universitário (ABHU), Marília, SP, Brazil. , Cassiolato garCia godoy, rafael Associação Beneficiente Hospital Universitário (ABHU), Marília, SP, Brazil.
Abstract :
Objective: To compare the widening of bone tunnels between
poly- etheretherketone (PEEK), absorbable polylactic acid DL
(PLDL) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) interference screws in
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: Three
groups of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with at least 1
year of follow-up using the out-in drilling technique and hamstring
as a graft were assessed. The patients were divided according
to the type of interference screw used (PEEK, PLDL and TCP).
Computed tomography (CT) was performed to measure the
greatest femoral and tibial tunnel widening regarding to the initial
tunnel, and then it was compared between groups. Results: Mean
widening in group 1 (PEEK) was 39.56% (SD 16%) in the femoral
tunnel and 33.65% (SD 20%) in the tibia. In group 2 (PLDL) mean
widening was 48.43% in the femoral tunnel (SD 18%) and 35.24%
(SD 13%) in the tibial tunnel. In group 3 (TCP) mean widening
was 44.51% in the femur (SD 14%) and 36.83% in the tibia
(SD 14%). The comparison between groups (PLDL-PEEK, PLDL-
TCP, PEEK-TCP) shows no statistically significant difference.
Conclusion: Bone tunnel enlargement values after ACL recon-
struction with the use of different types of materials (bioinert and
biomaterials) of interference screws (PEEK, PLDL and TCP) were
similar. Level of Evidence III, Comparative retrospective study.
