Presoaking hamstring autograft with vancomycin does not jeopardize its biomechanical properties, including graft...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

• Vancomycin presoaking of grafts is used to reduce infection risk in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
• The impact of vancomycin presoaking on graft biomechanical properties is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of vancomycin presoaking on the biomechanical properties and length of ACLR grafts.
• To determine if vancomycin affects graft integrity after cyclic loading.

Main Methods:

• Human cadaveric gracilis and semitendinosus tendons were used to create four-strand grafts.
• Grafts were randomized into vancomycin-treated and control (saline) groups.
• Grafts underwent 3000 cycles of simulated postoperative loading followed by pull-to-failure testing.

Main Results:

• Vancomycin presoaking did not significantly alter graft biomechanical properties, including Young's modulus.
• No significant differences in total graft elongation were observed between the vancomycin and control groups.
• Cyclic loading did not compromise the integrity of vancomycin-treated grafts.

Conclusions:

• Vancomycin presoaking is safe for ACLR grafts, preserving biomechanical properties and length.
• This in vitro study suggests vancomycin presoaking is a viable strategy for preventing postoperative infections after ACLR.
• Further clinical studies may support the routine use of vancomycin graft presoaking.