[Revision of the anterior cruciate ligament in TransFix(R)- and OATS(R)-technique]

Transplant failure after anterior cruciate ligament-plastic is a typical complication. In larger collectives, revisions amount to about 8-12 % of the reconstructive operations of the anterior cruciate ligament. The number of revisions is also growing in our clinic and makes at present 11 %. There are different reasons of transplant failure. Many mistakes occur as a result of technical pitfalls during the preparation. A new "adequate trauma" is rarely the cause of a rerupture. In this paper a new concept of revision in failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions will be presented, which can be frequently performed as one-step technique even in bone tunnel enlargement or sclerosis of the tunnel. Our results in 21 cases will be discussed with the literature. In our opinion the TransFix(R) technique, if necessary in conjunction with the OATS(R) technical equipment, is a reproducable alternative for one step revision surgery and should be recommended.