Nonirradiated versus irradiated Achilles allograft: in vivo failure comparison

Many studies suggest that gamma irradiation decreases allograft strength in a dose-dependent manner. No study has demonstrated that this decrease in strength translates into higher clinical failures.

Irradiation of allograft tissue will lead to higher early clinical failure in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Medical records were reviewed for 90 consecutive patients who had received Achilles allograft reconstruction for unilateral primary ACL injuries at one institution between July 2001 and June 2002. One half of patients received nonirradiated Achilles allograft and the other half received irradiated Achilles allograft at a dose range of 2.0 to 2.5 Mrad. The ACL allograft reconstructions were performed using the same surgical technique. The rehabilitation program was identical for both groups. All clinical failures were recorded.

At least 6 months' follow-up was available on 42 subjects in the nonirradiated group and 33 subjects in the irradiated group. A significant difference was noted in early failure rates between the groups (P <.01). The nonirradiated group had 1 in 42 (2.4%) catastrophic failure. In the irradiated group, 11 of 33 (33%) Achilles tendon grafts failed.

Less than satisfactory results led the senior authors to discontinue the use of irradiated allografts in ACL surgery. Continued research into alternatives to gamma irradiation is needed.