[Anterior cruciate ligament--anatomy, function, injuries and repair]

The anatomy, function and injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament were presented. The authors reviewed some technical problems concerning the intra-articular reconstruction of ACL using artificial prostheses, chemically treated allografts and xenografts or combinations of various materials. There was pointed out that none material was found to meet the criteria to be superior to autogenous graft of the middle one third of the patella tendon with its attached bony insertions.