[Bone-patellar tendon-bone graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: allograft versus autograft]

To evaluate the clinical result of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either allo- or auto- bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) grafts.

From February 2002 to January 2006, 142 of 187 cases of ACL ruptures who received ACL reconstruction with B-PT-B grafts were studied retrospectively. There were 93 male and 49 female whose age was from 15 to 57 years (mean 26 years). Patients were divided into 2 groups by graft selection: 38 patients with autograft and 104 with allograft. Clinical results were evaluated according to IKDC, Lysholm, Irgang and Larson scales. Sub-items of scales such as pain, swelling and laxity were specifically evaluated.

All of the patients were followed up with an average of 24 months (range from 6 to 43 months). All grafts were radiographically in good position at the time of follow-up. KT-1000 examination of affected knee showed less than 3 mm anterior translation difference compared with contralateral one's. Allograft group: 85 patients got normal IKDC score (81.7%). Lysholm score 82.8 +/- 8.5, Irgang score 79.2 +/- 7.3, Larson score 86.7 +/- 3.1. Autograft group: 29 patients got normal IKDC score (76.3%). Lysholm score 84.6 +/- 9.5, Irgang score 79.5 +/- 7.6, Larson score 88.9 +/- 6.8. No significant statistical difference was found between the 2 groups in the comprehend scale (P>0.05).

Both autograft and allograft group achieve good results, and the allograft B-PT-B could provide the similar clinical result as autograft, the preliminary result of allograft reconstruction might indicate predictable result in the future.