Premature hamstring graft amputation during harvesting in ACL reconstruction

There are some possible complications during or after hamstring graft harvesting such as premature graft amputation, medial collateral ligament injury and infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve injury. Premature graft amputation can occur by inadequate removal of the accessory branches of the hamstring tendons, poor surgical technique and/or too sharp tendon stripper. In this study, we report a case of premature hamstring graft amputation due to degeneration caused by osteochondroma at the posteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia.

We reported the case of a 28-year-old Thai male who had an ACL injury was scheduled for ACL reconstruction. In this case, we had planned to use a hamstring graft for double-bundle ACL reconstruction. During the gracilis tendon harvesting, the graft was prematurely amputated by a tendon stripper at the level of the osteochondroma. The premature graft amputation was sent for pathology, which showed degenerated tissue.

In cases of osteochondroma at the posteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia, it is a chance of premature hamstring graft amputation. We suggest removing the osteochondroma before harvesting the tendon grafts to avoid the risk of premature graft transection.