[Effectiveness comparison of double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with...

To compare the effectiveness between arthroscopic double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with deep-frozen allografts.

Between January 2008 and January 2009, 105 patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with deep-frozen allografts were selected and randomly divided into single-bundle (n = 59) or double-bundle (n = 46) groups. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively 6, 12, and 24 months. Of the patients, 93 (51 in the single-bundle group and 42 in the double-bundle group) were available for full evaluation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, height, weight, disease duration, complication, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Lysholm score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The anterior drawer test and the Lachman test for all were rated as + in 2 groups, and the pivot shift test were rated as ++ before operation.

All wounds healed by first intention, and no related complication such as fracture, infection, or deep venous thrombosis was observed. There was no significant difference in the IKDC score, Lysholm score, anterior drawer test, pivot shift test, and Lachman test between 2 groups at 6-month and 12-month follow-up (P > 0.05). The IKDC score, Lysholm score, pivot shift test, Lachman test, and the side-to-side difference measured by KT-1000 arthrometer in the double-bundle group were significantly better than those in single-bundle group at 24-month follow-up (P < 0.05).

The double-bundle ACL reconstruction with deep-frozen allografts has better effectiveness than the single-bundle ACL reconstruction.