Hamstring graft diameter above 7 mm has a lower risk of failure following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Multi-stranded hamstring-tendon autografts have been widely used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgeries. Recently, smaller diameter hamstring autografts have been linked with the risk of failure or graft rupture. However, there is limited evidence concerning the optimal diameter of the hamstring autografts for ACLR. The current systematic review and meta-analysis analysed the association of ACLR failure with the diameter of hamstring autografts.

A systematic search of three major scientific databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library) was conducted to identify studies that presented ACLR failure-related outcomes with different diameters of hamstring autografts. The pooled data from the included studies were analysed to investigate the association between ACLR failure and the cut-off diameters of 6, 7, 8, and 9 mm. Subgroup analyses based on the level of evidence and follow-up duration were also performed at each cut-off diameter.

Of the 2282 studies screened, 16 reported failure rates with hamstring autografts of different diameters, 15 of which were included in the meta-analysis. A graft diameter ≥ 7 mm was associated with significantly lower ACLR failure rates than a graft diameter < 7 mm (p = 0.005), based on pooled data of 19,799 cases. Age < 20 years and higher physical activity were associated with significantly higher ACLR failure rates.

The current systematic review suggests that the hamstring graft diameter for ACLR should be more than 7 mm considering the significantly higher failure rates with graft diameters less than 7 mm.

Level IV.